Online Reporter
Andile Tshuma, Zimpapers Writer
CALLS for increased budget allocations towards water, sanitation and hygiene (Wash) services dominated the opening of the National Residents Summit in Bulawayo on Thursday, with participants urging that water revenues be ring-fenced for direct investment in infrastructure development.
The two-day summit, hosted by the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) under the theme “Rethinking Wash Sector Financing in the Context of Devolution”, brought together residents, local authorities, civic organisations, and human rights defenders to explore financing models and advocate for greater accountability in the sector.
Residents’ representatives expressed concern that revenue generated from water was being used to cover a wide range of council expenses, including what they described as the “flashy lifestyles” of some municipal executives, while service delivery in the Wash sector remained inadequate.
They highlighted stark disparities in access to potable water between cities. While 94 percent of Bulawayo residents receive council-supplied water, only 40 percent of Harare’s population has access — leaving the majority reliant on unreliable or unsafe sources despite paying rates.
Delivering the keynote address, Bulawayo Mayor Councillor David Coltart urged residents to take a more active role in demanding accountability and quality service delivery from municipalities. He emphasised that residents, as ratepayers, have both rights and responsibilities in shaping local governance.
“Even if we are on a 130-hour shedding programme, which is unacceptable, the reality is that 94 percent of households in the city do receive water and are connected. Even if it sometimes takes a while to come, they do get water. This city has shown that it has run its water services relatively well. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it — invest in it, but don’t change it completely.
“I’m delighted that Lake Gwayi-Shangani is being developed. It’s a good dam site, and using that water for irrigation between Gwayi-Shangani and Bulawayo is excellent, as it will elevate farmers from subsistence to a more productive level,” he said
BPRA Director, Permanent Ngoma, said water was central to residents’ dignity and survival, and therefore deserved special budgetary protection.
“This year, we are focusing on water and sanitation because the entire country has been facing water challenges. We felt it was important to deliberate on these issues and develop solutions to address them,” she said.
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) representative Mr Reuben Aliki said the capital’s water crisis reflected misplaced priorities and chronic underinvestment in infrastructure.
“Only 40 percent of Harare’s ratepayers are receiving potable water. The other 60 percent rely on boreholes and unsafe sources, yet they are still paying their rates. Such circumstances make it necessary for residents to unite, strategise and demand the services they deserve,” he said.
Residents’ associations from Umzingwane and Gwanda echoed similar concerns, calling for equitable Wash financing that recognises the unique needs of smaller towns and rural communities, where people often depend on unsafe water sources.
They also called for stronger protection of water catchment areas from mining activities that threaten to contaminate dams.
“Residents struggle to get water in Gwanda and Matabeleland South generally. Water is a basic need. We hope that by the end of this summit, we will have the tools to develop our towns and address pressing Wash issues,” said Mr Malvern Dube of the Gwanda Residents Association.
Mr Khumbulani Maphosa of the Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights said the summit must push for practical solutions to tackle systemic corruption and ensure councils remain transparent in managing water resources.
He stressed that access to water is a fundamental human right, not a privilege.
The summit’s objectives included assessing progress since the last residents’ gathering, developing strategies for accountable and gender-responsive Wash service delivery, exploring alternatives to the privatisation of municipal services, and drafting a shared policy position on improving financing and investment.
Through panel discussions, workshops, and plenary sessions, participants are expected to generate proposals that will inform both local and national policy frameworks, with the ultimate goal of ensuring sustainable, inclusive and equitable Wash service delivery across Zimbabwe.
