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Bianca Leboho Herald reporter
Harare City Council is in the process of introducing swipe machines in its revenue halls across the city to ease transaction challenges for ratepayers.

This comes at a time when the country is experiencing cash shortages with banks limiting daily cash withdrawals to between $100 and $200.

In an interview with The Herald yesterday, Harare City Council acting corporate communications manager Mr Michael Chideme confirmed the latest move.

“The introduction of swipe machines is part of the measures to afford the city’s customers comfort in settling their bills especially now when there is a liquidity crunch in the country,” said Mr Chideme.

He said residents have previously made calls for the provision of convenience at banking halls by council.

“As council, we are fully behind the introduction of swipe machines at all our revenue collection centres,” said Mr Chideme.

Mr Chideme said Harare City Council was backing Government’s call for Zimbabweans to use plastic money, especially now that the country was going through a cash crisis.

“We are promoting plastic money, a move which will greatly convenience our Harare City residents,” he said.

Mr Chideme said all the city’s revenue halls were connected to the Internet.

“Harare City’s revenue halls are all connected to the Internet, and this development provides convenience to the paying public.”

“This means residents can now check their bills at any of the council’s district offices,” he added.

The city has also entered into an electronic bill payment agreement with CBZ, which will see the bank accepting payments from ratepayers from all their branches countrywide.