A bill payment mobilization drive led by Ward 16 Councilor Philemon Mawere has started to show positive results, as several residents from Mkoba 20 visited the City of Gweru Council’s Revenue Hall to settle their outstanding municipal bills. Mawere recently accompanied these residents to the Revenue Hall following a campaign encouraging ratepayers to fulfill their obligations to the local authority.

The councilor said the initiative aims to promote a culture of payment among residents and help the council improve revenue collection, which is essential to sustaining service delivery. “For our city to progress, we need residents who are committed to paying their bills. The services we are asking for are funded by the residents. We do not have external donors. It is our responsibility as citizens to pay our bills,” said Mawere.

He noted that residents often raise concerns about refuse collection, water supply, sewer management, and road maintenance, but these services can only improve if the council receives adequate revenue. Some residents who visited the Revenue Hall cleared their outstanding accounts, while others made payment arrangements with council officials.

Mavis Sibanda, a Ward 16 resident, shared her experience: “We are working well with our Councilor Mawere, who has been helping us understand how to pay our debts. I personally didn’t know I could set up a payment plan, but thanks to him, I realized I could start making smaller payments until my debt is cleared.”

City of Gweru Town Clerk Livingstone Churu expressed his support for the initiative, describing it as a positive step toward strengthening the city’s revenue base.
“We appreciate the residents who are coming forward to pay their bills.

The revenue collected by the council funds essential services and maintains infrastructure throughout the city. When residents pay, they contribute directly to improving service delivery,” Churu stated.
In recent months, the council has intensified its efforts to enhance revenue collection amid rising demands for service delivery and infrastructure rehabilitation. Churu emphasized that community-led initiatives encouraging residents to settle their accounts can significantly improve the council’s financial position and enable the local authority to respond more effectively to service delivery challenges.

Mawere and other councilors are expected to continue their mobilization efforts as the council seeks to boost revenue collection and encourage greater resident participation in the city’s development.