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Mashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has dragged the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) to court for allegedly failing to settle a debt of more than $17, 000 in rates and water charges accrued over a period of six years.

The city council, which is the plaintiff in the matter, this week filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court citing ZimParks as the defendant.

Bulawayo City Council is demanding $17,552.89 with interest.

“In terms of the laws of Zimbabwe, plaintiff is obliged to provide certain services to residents of the city of Bulawayo which include road, sewer, water and refuse collection among other essential services,” said the council in its summons.

Filed through Advocate SKM Sibanda and Partners, the council summons said the defendant has continuously failed, refused or neglected to settle the outstanding amounts despite demand.

“From the period from March 2009 and January 2015, defendant accumulated arrears from water charges and rates in the total sum of $17,552.89 which account is still outstanding in breach of its statutory obligation. The defendant has failed and/or neglected to pay the arrears,” said the lawyers.

The council said ZimParks’ failure to pay the money impacted negatively on service delivery in the city.

The wildlife authority has not yet filed a notice to enter an appearance to defend the summons.

Last week, BCC also dragged the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe and Matabele Steam Laundry to court for failing to settle debts arising from rates and taxes accrued over a period of six years