By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
KARIBA — In a bid to improve service delivery and boost revenue collection, Kariba Municipality has deployed Debtors Clerks equipped with Point of Sale (POS) machines across the resort town.
The initiative is designed to make it more convenient for residents to settle their municipal bills — including overdue balances and monthly water charges — without having to travel to central offices.
The mobile clerks are now stationed in various residential areas, offering multiple payment options such as EcoCash, bank cards (swipe), and cash, as part of a broader effort to streamline and modernize the municipality’s billing system.
In a statement shared with Gemnation, the municipality urged residents to embrace the new system:
“We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring timely payment of municipal services. Together, we can make Kariba the ultimate tourist destination we all yearn for.”
The municipality is currently facing mounting financial pressures, with ratepayers owing more than ZW$100 million.
Further complicating the situation, Kariba recently received a notice of arrears from ZETDC (Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company) amounting to ZW$24 million in unpaid electricity bills — a situation that threatens the continuity of key services.
The introduction of POS machines is being viewed as a proactive step toward stabilizing the town’s finances.
By bringing payment facilities closer to residents, Kariba Municipality aims to encourage compliance, reduce arrears, and ensure the uninterrupted provision of essential services.
Residents are encouraged to interact with Debtors Clerks in their neighborhoods and make use of the available platforms to settle outstanding bills.
This initiative not only addresses Kariba’s immediate financial concerns but also signals a shift toward more citizen-friendly service delivery — a crucial step for a town aspiring to reclaim its place as one of Zimbabwe’s premier tourist destinations.
About Author
