Councillors shoot down minister’s free water scheme

that resi­dents of cities and towns should not pay water charges for the first six cubic metres per month.
He justified the policy saying water was a basic human right used for cooking, drink­ing, washing and personal hygiene. A 200-litre drum was found to be adequate per day for a family of six.
But Clr Chakabuda said Minister Nkomo needed to be educated on the situation on the ground.
“We respect what Minister Nkomo is say­ing but we want to advise the Minister to be informed of the situation on the ground,” he said. He said the majority of urban properties in high-density areas that are enti­tled to the benefit were designed for a family of six.
Because of housing problems up to four families now share a single property.
“There is no way we can give four families free water per each housing property,” he said.