adminMarvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
Gwanda Municipality has started disconnecting water supplies to defaulters in an attempt to recover millions of dollars it is owed by residents. The municipality has over the past months been appealing to residents to make payments to avoid disconnections but some residents did not heed the message.
On Wednesday evening council used hailers warning residents of ongoing water disconnections.
“Residents are reminded that the process of water disconnections will continue again tomorrow. Those who have not made payments yet, make sure you do so tomorrow,” said a council official who spoke from a vehicle driven around the town.
In an interview, Gwanda Town mayor Councillor Knowledge Ndlovu said the municipality had no choice but resort to the action to enforce payment of bills. Asked how much the residents owed the municipality, the mayor said, “What we owe to Zinwa, is the money with the residents.”
The municipality owes Zinwa more than $7million. “We have tried all efforts to encourage residents to pay their bills but some were not forthcoming but we have always warned that water disconnections would be our last resort,” he said.
“Councillors have made efforts at ward level and as the municipality, we also have monthly meetings with residents at Phelandaba Stadium where we discuss pertinent issues affecting residents and municipality.”
Clr Ndlovu said defaulting residents were making it difficult for the local authority to run and provide services as expected. “Looking at all the economic challenges faced by residents, council needs to survive at the same time. Residents can also visit council offices to make payment plans,” he said.
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