Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
AWARD-WINNING Mutare City Council is targeting 24-hour daily provision of clean water across the eastern border city within the next five years, up from the current average of 22 hours.
This was revealed by the Town Clerk, Mr Blessing Chafesuka, during his half-year report presentation to stakeholders at Mutare Hall earlier this week.
The current 22-hour water supply across the city is above the Government benchmark of at least 20 hours daily.
“On the provision of water, we were able to maintain the provision of water for an average of 22 hours a day. The good thing is that we are above the Government benchmark of 20 hours a day. We are still investing a lot to water to ensure that we have every suburb getting water for 24 hours a day. That demands a lot of money. We have said while we are at 22 hours, we should make sure we do not slide back below that,” he said, adding that while the local authority moves to enhance its capacity to supply clean water round the clock, it is grappling with a ballooning debt.
Mr Chafesuka revealed that the total amount owed to the city as at June 30, 2026 stood at US$35,3 million (ZiG 946m).
“We are now at a stage where we have to employ different measures to recover the money that we are owed. We are circulating 24-hour disconnection notices and final demands in preparation for summons. We are also enforcing legal processes to recover debts from persistently defaulting ratepayers.
‘‘Targeted disconnections, characterised by blitz disconnections focused on high-consumption groups such as schools, hotels and filling stations, are also being employed as a way to recover what we are owed.
‘‘We are also using multi-channel contact that entails reaching debtors through several channels, including phone, email and SMS reminders, as well as offering flexible, structured payment plans that accommodate debtors’ financial circumstances. Training debt collectors in negotiation techniques to improve recovery outcomes is also another option that we are employing,” said Mr Chafesuka.
Government departments and public bodies dominate the debtors’ book, owing a combined ZiG163 million (US$6.1m).
Mutare mayor, Councillor Simon Chabuka pledged the local authority’s adherence to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Call to Action.
“As we look to the future, council remains committed to cultivating a high-performance organisational culture founded on professionalism, ethical leadership, innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement. We do so with confidence and a clear vision for the continued transformation of the City of Mutare, building a well-planned, economically vibrant, technologically advanced, and service-oriented city that responds to the needs of both current and future generations.
“In line with His Excellency, President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s Call to Action for all local authorities to have approved Master Plans and Valuation Rolls, I am proud to report that the City of Mutare has already attained these critical planning milestones, placing our city ahead of the curve in promoting orderly urban development, sustainable land management, and improved revenue mobilisation. Council has also successfully completed the Mutare Central Business District Local Development Plan, which will guide the redevelopment and revitalisation of our city centre, attract investment, and improve the urban landscape. Building on this momentum, work has already commenced on the Sakubva Local Development Plan, a strategic initiative that will chart the renewal, redevelopment, and modernisation of one of our oldest and most densely populated suburbs,” said Councillor Chabuka.
Moffat Mungazi