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Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) has taken Beitbridge Municipality to court over a $32 million debt that has been accruing since June 2011, as the battle to control water affairs between the two entities rages on.
The two entities have a long-standing dispute over the handling of water in the town.
Presently, Zinwa is selling bulk water to the council, which the council then sells to the over 70 000 residents after putting its own mark-up.
The state of affairs has resultantly pushed up water tariffs, with residents now paying an average of $8 000 per month, depending on use.
Beitbridge town clerk, Mr Loud Ramakgapola confirmed yesterday that they had received summons from Zinwa’s legal team this week.
He said though they were still interested in running their own water affairs, there was need to service their debt with the water authority.
“Our situation has been made worse by the fact that residents owe us $90 million in water and rates from 2011,” said Mr Ramakgapola.
“So, we have called for a meeting on Tuesday next week with the residents, business and opinion leaders. We must not prolong servicing this debt. We need to come up with a strategy to pay Zinwa.”
Mr Ramakgapola said they were owed $5,2 million in outstanding lease charges and $1 million for stands servicing.
He said initially they owed Zinwa a total of $53 million and they were left with $32 million when $18 million was written off at the intervention of Central Government.
The Herald understands that since 2011, there has been a tussle between the two entities, with the local authority arguing that part of the debt was accrued from non-revenue water (water lost before reaching the council distribution points).
Mr Ramakgapola said it was critical for residents and businesses to play their part by paying up the monies owed to the local authority.
“At the next meeting, we need to agree with the residents and ratepayers on a way forward,” he said.
“You will note that the overall revenue collection rate currently stands at 29 percent and for water its 14 percent.
“This is not sustainable, we need to act now to salvage our situation.
“So, we have invited among others those that owe us a lot of money to come over a round table.”
Mr Ramakgapola said in 2018, they agreed in principle with Zinwa that they should suspend the debt and focus on making weekly payment for current water supplies.
He said since then, they have been making weekly payments of $200 000, which was reviewed to $400 000 in September this year.
Mr Ramakgapola said the arrangement could be sustained with the over 7 000 property owners making commitments to servicing their debts.
According to the summons from Zinwa, the local authority has between June 30, 2011 and June 30 this year managed to pay $7,5 million for 18 489, 097 cubic metres of water supplied to them against $32 million.
Zinwa added that the debt had within the said period accrued interest of $5 million.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter