Andrew
Richard Muponde
SOME Victoria Falls residents will spend the Christmas holiday without water, after the resort city’s local authority resolved to embark on massive water disconnections for defaulting residents starting on Monday.
The municipality is owed around $500 million by residents.
In a notice dated December 16, 2021, Victoria Falls mayor, Councillor Somvelo Dhlamini, said the massive water disconnections are an outcome of a full council resolution of November 10, 2021 aimed at debt recovery.
“While cognisant of the adverse effects of Covid-19 to the world, and the community of Victoria Falls, in particular, the local authority is found between a rock and a hard surface as it is expected to deliver uninterrupted services against a myriad of production costs,” he said.
The mayor added that 2021 was a difficult year for Victoria Falls, as at one point the municipality’s water works was disconnected by the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) due to arrears.
“Council is owed over $500 million, an amount that can be used in a quest to improve services and ensure residents continue to enjoy quality water services,” he said.
“Council is in agreement that the community of Victoria Falls deserves quality and uninterrupted services, and that comes as a cost despite the economic challenges which inevitably have a ripple effect on service delivery.
“Residents and stakeholders are therefore encouraged to settle their bills or approach council for reasonable payment plans.”
Victoria Falls has been having perennial water problems despite sitting on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River.
Online Reporter