Residents up in arms with council over water cuts

Leonard Ncube and Caroline Mutsawu

THERE was drama in Victoria Falls last week when residents of Mfelandawonye section of Mkhosana suburb clashed with council workers who were disconnecting water over non-payment of bills.

The council is targeting those that owe US$100 and above.

Council workers reportedly visited the suburb in the morning and started disconnecting some households much to the anger of residents who mobilised each other and confronted them.

They had disconnected six houses when residents blocked them from continuing with the exercise.
The council employees returned with the police who managed to control the angry residents.

The residents complained about high water charges and quizzed council over disconnections yet council was failing to supply enough water.

Despite the fact that council was failng to provide adequate water daily, residents said they were getting shocking bills ranging from US$35 to US$60 per month.

When a Chronicle news crew arrived in Mfelandawonye, the council employees were milling around in small groups.

Residents said while they were not opposed to paying for water consumed, they want the local authority to provide them with water throughout the month.

“This is a section mostly for the elderly people and we get water for just few days a month.

“We only get water when they know they are coming to do meter reading or they are sending monthly bills,” said a resident who declined to be named.

Residents said water usually comes at night.

“Bills are way too high yet we have no water on a daily basis. We don’t know maybe they are charging us for the bowser that supplies us fortnightly. Most of the time we go and ask for water from other areas especially the CBZ side,” said another resident.

“So they came and we didn’t know what was happening and upon realising that they were disconnecting water, we quickly mobilised and blocked them. They had disconnected about six houses and our concern is that they are doing this when our taps are dry.”

Vice chairperson of Vic Falls Watchdog, Mrs Sifiso Sibanda implored the council to be considerate.

“Our understanding is that there is no water and bills are too high. We don’t understand which water they are charging when people get water for only two days a month.” he said.

“While we encourage people to pay for water because it’s a service we need, council should make sure there is water.

“They can’t go around disconnecting people when there is no water,” he said.

Victoria Falls mayor Councillor Somvelo Dlamini said residents were angry because they were getting a raw deal from the local authority.

“I was called by the local MP Mr Godfrey Dube and when we arrived at the scene, the situation was tense as residents in Mfelandawonye were angry.

“Their concerns are genuine and I engaged the Town Clerk Mr Ronnie Dube and we advised our team to stop the disconnections and allow people to make payment plans,” he said.

Clr Dlamini said as council, they do not want a cholera outbreak because of lack of water as that affects tourism.

“We told residents that the long term solution is on its way as council is constructing reservoirs in their area,” he said.

Victoria Falls City Council started a US$4 million water, sanitation and hygiene project, which is expected to address perennial water challenges in the resort city. — @ncubeleon.