Source: Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) applauds the City Of Harare for setting the record straight with regards the operations of Wellcash Debt Collectors.
The City Council’s Acting Corporate Communications Manager, Michael Chideme on January 8, 2017 acknowledged that only the Messenger of Court was empowered by law to attach property of defaulters.
According to legal procedures, residents have 7 days to make an Appearance to Defend at the Civil Court after being served with summons, failure of which the Messenger of Court would attach their property.
Since the council’s move to engage Wellcash debt collectors, CHRA has been inundated with calls by residents who were being threatened with court action or attachment of their property by Wellcash debt collectors.
As part of its responsibilities, CHRA rolled out a series of community meetings in Harare to educate residents on the illegality of debt collection.
CHRA is on record that the action by Wellcash Debt Collectors is illegal as there is no Act of Parliament in Zimbabwe which empowers debt collectors to issue threats or attach property on behalf of creditors.
In his message, Mr. Chideme said that residents had an option to pay their bills to Wellcash Debt Collectors or to council directly.
However, CHRA would like to urge residents of Harare to pay their debts directly to the City Of Harare as Wellcash Debt Collectors are charging an extra 10 percent of what the residents already owe to council and in the process, fleecing residents of their hard earned cash.
CHRA reiterates that the operations of Wellcash Debt Collectors are largely illegal and the only option available for residents is to pay to council directly.
CHRA would however like to urge residents to corporate with court summons and make an appearance to defend at the Civil Court within 7 days of receiving the summons and make payment plans with council to avoid loss of property through attachment by the Messenger of Court.
Source: Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)