By Ryan Chiwara-  The Gutu United Residents and Ratepayers Association (GURRA) have expressed concern over the demands by the local authority for clients to pay their rentals and other charges in hard currency following the adoption by council of Statutory Instrument 185 of 2020.

In a Facebook post the residents claim that the charging of services in foreign currency is illegal.

“The statutory Instrument 185 0f 2020 does not apply to local authorities and council cannot just increase service charges without a supplementary budget,” said the residents.

The residents added that the principal legislation governing the local authority is the Rural District Council Act and not SI 185 of 2020.

“The Rural District Council Act is the principal law that guide the local authority in its operations, SI 185 of 2020 did not come to amend the RDC ACT. Council should continue to be guided by the ACT when it comes to imposing charges,” the statement reads.

Another resident who refused to be named for fear of victimization said council does not have a foreign currency account where it can deposit the hard currency.

“What is being done by council is surprising how can they ask for payment in foreign currency when they do not have a foreign currency account,” the resident said.

Following the breakdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of Zimbabwe promulgated statutory 185 of 2020 early this year which authorizes   dual pricing and displaying, quoting and offering of prices for goods and services by traders.

“Any person who provides goods or services in Zimbabwe shall display, quote or offer the price for such goods or services in both Zimbabwe dollar and foreign currency at the ruling exchange rate, “read the SI.