Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
LOCAL authorities in Manicaland are facing a daunting task in recovering unpaid rates and water bills, leaving them with limited options, including cutting off supplies to compel debtors to settle their overdue arrears.
Mutare City Council, which runs the provincial capital, is among the hardest hit, grappling to recover debts from residents and ratepayers.
Furthermore, the local authority is owed nearly US$1 million by the sister Mutasa Rural District Council for water supplies to Penhalonga and Tsvingwe suburbs.
Government entities owe the council US$2 421 344 in the first quarter of 2025.
On the other hand, Rusape Town Council is also facing a significant challenge, with defaulting residents and ratepayers owing it over ZiG144 million – a situation that leaves the council struggling to raise adequate funds to procure electricity for its two pumping stations – Jack Needham and Town Water Works.
In a statement released on Wednesday, City of Mutare revealed that Mutasa RDC has failed to pay for water supplies, constraining its finances, and forcing it to subsidise the debt.
As a result, the council has introduced water rationing for defaulting clients, citing depressed cash flows.
“The City of Mutare has initiated a high-level water rationing programme for certain clients, including Mutasa RDC as a direct result of substantial outstanding payments for water services. This measure is crucial for the sustainable operation of Mutare’s water production and supply infrastructure.
“The provision of water in urban environment necessitates consistent payment from consumers to generate the funds required for the ongoing production and supply of water. When consumers fail to meet these payment obligations, the City of Mutare’s capacity to maintain water services is severely hampered. The city is obligated to ensure that water production remains uncompromised to sustain the entire production process.
“The City of Mutare is currently experiencing depressed cash flows due to various factors. As a result, the council is rigorously enforcing payment for water consumption from all consumers, including those located outside the city’s boundaries. The failure of clients to pay for services directly impacts all Mutare residents by negatively affecting overall service delivery within the city. There have also been complaints from residents that the City of Mutare is effectively subsidising Mutasa RDC by providing unpaid-for water,” reads part of the statement.
The city council further argued that its capacity to procure raw water from Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), payment of prepaid electricity and water treatment chemicals has been impacted due to the mounting debts.
The city council said it is now finalising modalities to install prepaid water meters on all consumers.
“Mutasa RDC is the City of Mutare’s largest debtor, with an outstanding balance nearing US$1 million. This significant debt has severely impacted the city’s ability to procure bulk water from ZINWA, purchase essential water treatment chemicals and pay for electricity. When the city cannot pay for raw water, supplies are disconnected. Similarly, failure to pay ZESA in advance for electricity leads to disconnections, affecting crucial city services like traffic and tower lights, many of which are now on prepaid meters.
“This pre-payment requirement for essential services underscores the need for upfront resources, without which service delivery will collapse. This principle applies equally to all consumers, including Mutasa RDC. There is no way Mutare City Council can sustain service to Mutasa RDC without the client paying for the services, especially now that all input material is now configured for upfront payments. The City of Mutare is in the final stages of installing the first batch of prepaid water meters, which will be rolled out to clients in a phased approach.
“This initiative means consumers will only have access to water equivalent to the credit they have purchased. The Government has already approved the concept of smart prepaid water meters, and once the relevant procedures are finalized, these meters will be deployed city wide and to other clients outside the city council’s direct jurisdiction,” said the local authority.
Mutasa Rural District Council (RDC) chairman, Councillor Paddington Nemaunga acknowledged the debt to City of Mutare for water supplies to Penhalonga and Tsvingwe.
“Yes, we owe Mutare City Council some money for water they supply us in Penhalonga and Tsvingwe. The main challenge is the non-payment of services and water by residents of Tsvingwe and Penhalonga,” he said, attributing the council’s struggles to collect revenue from residents, citing inconsistencies in issuing water bills in the past.
However, he assured that the council has rectified the issue and bills will now be issued on time.
Councillor Nemaunga said the council has engaged City of Mutare to negotiate a payment plan, but faces difficulties due to limited funds.
He urged residents to settle their outstanding bills, with some owing as much as US$2 000.
“We engaged City of Mutare last week when they cut off supplies, but it is difficult to negotiate when you have nothing to offer. We have asked residents to pay up, and the money is trickling in,” he said.
Currently, residents of Penhalonga and Tsvingwe are experiencing erratic water supplies, with City of Mutare rationing supplies to just an hour per day.
“Once we collect a substantial amount, we will approach them for a payment plan. We have a resolution to install prepaid water meters, and very soon we will begin the procurement process. We are targeting 400 households on a pilot project, especially in areas where we experience challenges of non-payment,” he said.
Rusape Town Council is facing a significant challenge in recovering over ZiG144 million owed by defaulting ratepayers, with the majority being water consumers.
The council’s public relations officer, Mr Lloyd Makumana said they are still employing persuasive measures to encourage defaulters to settle their debts for improved service delivery.
“Residents and ratepayers owe the council over ZiG144 million in unpaid dues, including rates and water supplies. The breakdown of the debt is as follows – commercial entities owe ZiG41 million, industrial consumers (ZiG17 million), residential consumers (ZiG72 million), institutions (ZiG3 million), and Government entities (ZiG9 million).”
Mr Makumana urged residents, businesses, and stakeholders to pay their dues promptly, enabling the council to effectively deliver services.
Despite the significant debt, the council has no plans to disconnect water supplies to consumers, opting instead to continue reminding defaulters to settle their accounts.
