Bongani Ndlovu
Ronald Mpofu [email protected]
PLUMTREE Ward 5 Councillor Cde Maxwell Washaya has intervened to temporarily halt water disconnections in his ward, insisting he must first hear grievances from residents regarding their failure to settle outstanding bills.
The water disconnection exercise, targeting defaulting residents and businesses, commenced two weeks ago. Several wards and commercial premises in the central business district have already been affected.
Cde Washaya successfully sought permission from Town Secretary Mr Thembelani Nyoni to stay the disconnections in his ward. He subsequently convened a meeting at the Plumtree Town Council’s TMB Hall, which was attended by residents in large numbers.
Addressing the gathering, Cde Washaya explained his intervention.
“I have requested Town Secretary Mr Nyoni to restrain his team from disconnecting water in my ward as I wanted to hear from you what challenges you are facing,” he said.
Cllr Washaya emphasised the council’s dependence on revenue collection but cautioned residents against making payments without fully understanding their bills.
”Let us today discuss how we will pay the council. What I do not want is for my residents to live without water. I am very concerned about hygiene practices. May I kindly know and hear your views and feedback about the bills you received at your houses?” he said.
Residents raised several complaints, with many blaming the council for issuing excessively high bills and failing to provide clarity.
“I recall sometime last month, I was billed US$400.00. When I came to the council for clarification and a breakdown of the bill, I was ignored and only told that this is your bill,” said Mr Joshua Nkomo, a resident.
Others claimed the council relies on estimated billing, which they believe is the root cause of the inflated monthly charges. One resident stated that she has not seen a meter-reading team at her house since 2023.
Further grievances included the council’s alleged refusal to accept partial payments of less than 50 per cent and its unwillingness to negotiate payment plans with those owing large sums.
In response, Cllr Washaya pledged to relay all feedback to the Town Secretary. However, he clarified that no official directive prevents the council from accepting payments.
“I will talk to Mr Nyoni. I believe the reception department is doing this on its own. The council has never set any rule denying receipt of money from its consumers. This is very wrong,” Cllr Washaya said.
He asserted residents’ right to a transparent billing process, breaking down the water tariff structure.
“It is everyone’s right to ask and be answered on how one is billed. Those billed on estimation attract very high amounts, as the council will assume the account holder has used more than 20 cubic metres, at a rate of US$6.10 per cubic metre,” he explained.
Cllr Washaya outlined the billing rates: 1 to 10 cubic metres cost $3.11, 11 to 20 cubic metres cost $4.35, and 21 cubic metres and above cost $6.10.
