Councillors urge tougher stance on Collen Bawn defaulters as Gwanda RDC cracks down on arrears

GWANDA – Gwanda Rural District Council councillors have called for a firmer approach against beneficiaries of residential houses and stands in Collen Bawn who have failed to clear outstanding balances, saying the local authority should not be too lenient with defaulters.

The issue came up during the Full Council Meeting No. 1 of 2026 held on 31 March 2026, where councillors considered reports on the payment status of residential houses and stands at Khayelitsha in Collen Bawn.

According to the report presented before council, a previous Full Council resolution passed in 2024 had given beneficiaries with outstanding balances but who were making payments six months to settle for stands and 12 months for houses.

The grace periods expired on 30 September 2024 for stands and 30 March 2025 for houses.

However, council heard that a number of beneficiaries still had substantial arrears as at 28 February 2026, prompting a fresh debate on how to deal with the matter.

During deliberations, councillors noted that while some beneficiaries had continued to pay and reduce their balances, others had shown little seriousness in meeting their obligations.

“It was stated that there was a resolution already in place dealing with such instances,” the minutes read.

A concern was also raised that adopting another resolution on the same matter could create confusion by leaving some properties with two separate council resolutions addressing similar circumstances.

But in response, it was explained that circumstances had changed since the earlier decision, as some beneficiaries had since honoured their debts, some now had only minimal balances, while others still owed council significant amounts.

Council was told that because of these differences, each case now needed to be handled on its own merits.

“It was further pointed out that Council needed money and ought not to be too lenient with the individuals who are not seemingly serious to make an effort in making payments,” the minutes state.

Following the debate, council resolved that several beneficiaries of houses be engaged and given three months’ notice to clear their arrears, failing which the properties would be repossessed.

The deliberations reflect growing concern within council over the need to improve revenue collection and enforce payment discipline among beneficiaries of local authority properties.

The move is likely to be welcomed by those who have kept up with their payments, but it could also put pressure on defaulting beneficiaries already struggling to meet their obligations in a difficult economic environment.

Still, councillors agreed that council could no longer afford to delay action where there was little sign of commitment from debtors.

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