[103] The official reason for cancelling the debt was to be consistent with the “pro-poor policies of ZANU-PF.” According to media accounts, he said that although 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". “Chombo Orders Debt Write-Off Before Polls,” The New Zimbabwe, July 22, 2013 http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-11794-Chombo+orders+urban+debts+write-off/news.aspx (accessed October 29, 2013).