admin
scale, which is impossible. In the past days we have negotiated, they are failing to come up with a written payment plan,” he said. Council spokesman Mr Leslie Gwindi said council had done everything it could, but there was no consensus.
“We still believe negotiating is the best way forward. They have tabled their demands and we have given them our side, but they are refusing,” he said.
The strike comes as acute water shortages hit western suburbs and satellite towns following a big pipe burst at Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant.
The water woes are likely to persist due to the strike. This is the second time the workers have downed tools in as many weeks.
Chitungwiza has been without water since last Saturday.
ALSO SEE
Authorities at a primary school in the town yesterday sent pupils back home because there was no water.
Harare Water director Engineer Christopher Zvobgo attributed the water shortage to a “big” pipe burst at Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant.
The pipe burst, he said, had resulted in reduced pumping to main water controls and reservoirs that feed mostly western suburbs.
“We are aware of the challenges facing residents, but this has been as a result of a big burst at Morton Jaffrey. This has affected mostly western suburbs, but we immediately attended to the problem,” he said.
Eng Zvobgo said council was working at restoring supplies.
Mr Gwindi said council was processing only 650 megalitres of potable water per day, against a demand of 1 200 megalitres.
Harare and its satellite towns – Chitungwiza, Ruwa, Epworth and Norton with a combined population of four million people – require over 1 400 megalitres everyday during the peak months of October and November.
Online Reporter