Midlands Correspondent
Gokwe Town Council is struggling to recover US$3 million owed by residents and businesses, a debt crisis linked to the collapse of cotton farming that once powered the small town’s economy.
For years, cotton — known as white gold — drove financial circulation in Gokwe.
Its fall from about US$5 per kg at peak to an all-time low averaging 30 cents per kg has had a ripple effect on household incomes, leaving most residents surviving as vendors in a town with no industry.
Acting finance director Onward Bokisi said the bulk of the US$3 million debt is owed by residents in residential areas.
He said council has avoided strong-arm tactics for fear of touching a raw nerve in the highly political town, a stronghold of the ruling ZANU PF.
“We have never issued summons and we will only consider it as a last option in 2027,” Bokisi said.
“Council debtors currently stand at US$3 million with the bigger figure being from residential areas.”
He said failure to pay has compromised service delivery but council has remained diplomatic, encouraging residents during consultation meetings to pay their bills.
Strategies to recover the debt include door-to-door revenue collection, issuance of promotional materials, discounts and sustainable payment plans.
Bokisi said collection efficiency had improved from 55 percent in the second quarter to 61 percent in the third quarter after some residents came forward with payment plans.
He said some residents were reluctant to pay council bills because water provision is still under the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), where they are forced to pay to avoid disconnections.
“Once we have the water provision function, collections might improve,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gokwe started its 2027 budget consultations on September 29, 2026 with priorities being construction of market sheds, an animal pound, classroom blocks, road surfacing and drainage.
Bokisi said council will continue charging assessment rates using the Valuation Roll.
Gokwe Urban Residents Development Association (GURDA) chairperson Mike Gwasha said the town’s economy is now driven by vendors and called for the construction of vending marts to house them during the oncoming rainy season.
He said other priorities should be on sewer, roads, refuse collection and removal of domestic animals.
GURDA secretary general Patrick Chikowore raised concern over the unavailability of free public toilets and poor service at council health facilities due to inadequate personnel and medicines.
Residents also called for the transfer of water services from ZINWA to council, accusing the water authority of failing to provide the service efficiently.
