Government has ordered all the country's 92 local authorities to write-off debts owed by their citizens from the period February 2009 to June 30 this year following complaints by residents associations across the country.

Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo gave the directive during a press conference today. He said circulars had also been dispatched to the local authorities informing them of the policy line.

"In terms of Section 133 of the Rural District Councils Act Chapter 29:13 as read with Section 303 of the Urban Councils Act Chapter 29:15, councils are directed to write-off debts in respect of rentals, unit tax, development levy, refuse charges and water and sewer fees as at 30 June, 2013.

"Similarly amounts owed by residents in respect of rates since February 2009 stand prescribed in terms of Section 15 of the Prescription Act Chapter 8:11," he said.

Minister Chombo urged Zesa Holdings and Zinwa to embrace "the concessionary arrangement put in place to with intent to protect the vulnerable members of the community".

Minister Chombo said the Government policy dovetails with the Zanu-PF pro-poor policies that seek to alleviate hardships induced by the illegal economic sanctions.

Minister Chombo said while Government acknowledges that residents must pay their bills for the sustenance of effective and efficient service delivery, economic sanctions had made it difficult "for the generality of the citizenry to meet their obligations".