shloboe boe
Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has announced plans to introduce a mandatory electronic billing system and urged residents to submit their account details for registration before the end of March.
This move aligns with the council’s vision of becoming a “leading smart transformative city” by 2025.
For years, BCC has relied on door-to-door delivery of printed bills, which often resulted in irregularities. The e-billing system aims to address these inefficiencies by allowing residents to access their bills electronically.
In a public notice yesterday, Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said starting from the second quarter of the year, the council will exclusively send bills electronically.
“The City of Bulawayo intends to start sending electronic bills and statements from the second quarter of 2025 in line with its vision to be a leading smart transformative city by 2025,” he said.
Mr Dube said all account holders are requested to register to view their accounts online and update their contact details by March 31. This can be done via WhatsApp, email, or by visiting any City of Bulawayo revenue office.
“All account holders/consumers are requested to register to view their accounts on the website; submit or update email addresses and contact numbers by sending a WhatsApp message to 0784136505 or email to [email protected], [email protected] and copy [email protected], [email protected] or physically submit at any of the City of Bulawayo Revenue Offices by 31 March 2025,” said Mr Dube.
Residents must provide specific details, including their property stand number, physical address, account number, full name, gender, date of birth, and ID number.
Mr Dube said the e-billing system has been operational for early adopters and emphasised its importance in achieving the council’s smart city vision.
He said the system is user-friendly as it enables residents to log in and check their bills anytime. It aligns with the city’s goal of utilising information communication technologies to enhance service delivery.
“This is a friendly system and as we want to be a smart transformative city by 2025. We cannot achieve that if we don’t utilise information communication technologies,” said Mr Dube.
“We know a lot of people in Zimbabwe and Bulawayo are using internet-based systems for a lot of things and we are encouraging them to embrace the city’s e-billing system which brings a lot of efficiency for our clients.”
BCC’s ICT manager, Mr Mpazamiso Ndebele, assured residents of the system’s security, noting that property owners would be registered and their data cross-checked for accuracy.
He said BCC aims to streamline its operations and improve its engagement with residents, adding that the system will also benefit absentee landlords who can now monitor their accounts remotely.
It also eliminates the challenges associated with bill printing, allowing clients to manage their accounts efficiently.
However, Mr Ndebele acknowledged that the new system does not yet address issues related to estimated meter readings, a common source of billing disputes.
Public policy analyst and emerging technologies researcher, Mr Teddy Ncube, praised the initiative, describing it as a cost-effective and forward-thinking approach.
He said the transition to e-billing demonstrates the council’s commitment to Vision 2030 and aligns with the National Development Strategy 1.
Mr Ncube said it will improve efficiency and redirect funds previously used for printing bills toward enhancing service delivery, in the process saving the much-needed revenue.
“It shows BCC’s commitment to the realisation of Vision 2030 as espoused in National Development Strategy NDS 1,” he said.
Mr Ncube said the e-billing initiative reflects broader trends in digital governance, where services such as passport applications and company registrations have already transitioned online.
“Government has always emphasised transitioning or digitalisation of Government services, and we have seen how there is e-governance at a national level where there is an e-connect where all the Government services and ministries have been digitalised,” he said.
Mr Ncube emphasised the need for BCC to invest in robust cybersecurity measures to protect the system from potential threats.
“As the council adopts an e-building system there are certain things that they need to be mindful of. For example, the digital infrastructure. Some hazards are associated with adopting an online system and the council should invest in things like cyber security,” he said.
Mr Ncube said as the council adopts this technology, it must ensure inclusivity, sustainability, and accessibility. He said the system should address contentious issues like meter reading to ensure transparency.
“We want to see the transparency of the technology that they are going to use. Obviously, we will want to see the meter rating system that they are going to transition to, where it’s going to come from, and how it’s going to operate,” he said. – @nqotshili
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
