adminMarvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) Umzingwane Catchment Manager Engineer Tommy Rosen was yesterday picked up by police for questioning in connection with the municipality’s decision to ration water to Gwanda Town in violation of a court order.On March 6, this year, Zinwa was interdicted by the High Court from disturbing water supplies to Gwanda.
Since last week, Zinwa has been rationing water supplies to the town citing the municipality’s failure to settle outstanding payments to the water authority.
Zinwa says it is facing challenges in servicing the town and Gwanda Provincial Hospital is one of the most affected institutions whose operations have been compromised by water shortages.
Residents had planned to demonstrate against the this decision yesterday but were blocked by police who are now investigating Zinwa following the rationing of water.
Chronicle yesterday witnessed police officers approaching Eng Rosen as he came out of a meeting with town clerk Priscilla Nkala at the municipality’s offices.
Eng Rosen was asked to accompany the officers to Gwanda Police Station at around 4PM.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed that Eng Rosen was taken to the police station.
He added the Zinwa catchment manager was assisting with investigations concerning water rationing in Gwanda Town.
“Yes, Rosen is assisting police with investigations. We suspect there is a violation of the court order. We want to ascertain whether the water rationing is deliberate or technical,” he said.
Insp Ndebele said the engineer had not been arrested but was only assisting with investigations.
“While it is within their right, we however discouraged the residents from demonstrating in the interest of peace and public security. We felt that at the moment, demonstrating would not be in the best interest of the public at this moment,” said Insp Ndebele.
Some residents in high lying areas have gone for almost a month without running water in their taps.
Gwanda Central Member of Parliament Cde Edison Gumbo yesterday urged Gwanda Municipality and Zinwa to quickly settle their problems to bring relief to the residents who are facing serious water challenges.
“I would like to urge Zinwa and the municipality to attend to the water problems as a matter of urgency so that residents can get relief,” said Gumbo.
“However, on the other hand, I appeal to the residents to play their part and pay what they owe to the municipality to bring this water problem issue to an end.”
As a result of the persisting water challenges, some residents have resorted to fetching water from Mtshabezi River.
Last week a police officer drowned while bathing with friends at the same river.
Online Reporter