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Munyaradzi Doma in Zvishavane
Runde Rural District Council has embraced the Government-initiated ease of doing business initiatives as a viable option to increase revenue collection and reduce debts owed to several stakeholders. Between January and June this year, the RDC was owed $1,1 million. The initiatives are expected to do away with bureaucratic processes, automate systems and remove impeding laws, regulations and procedures. According to recent council minutes, the finance department intends to issue business licences through online platforms.

“Budget consultations, approval and presentation to be done online. Issuance of statements to be done online and payment methods to be expanded to include EcoCash, Point of Sale, RTGS and others,” it was noted. Council would, however, engage debt collectors to recover obligations owed by residents and ratepayers. The council had collected $85 000 from previous debts, with about $42 300 being recovered through Wellcash Debt Collectors.

The council report also noted that in the period under review, mining companies owed council $344 200, while shops and parastatals were indebted to the tune of $199 400 and $119 400, respectively. Statutory bodies that owe the RDC include the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA).