adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
A HEALTH hazard is looming at Matobo growth point after the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) disconnected water supplies to the local authority over a $11,200 debt. Zinwa supplies water to the Matobo Rural District Council and is demanding $7,000 advance payment to restore supplies, a council official said. Acting council Chief Executive Officer, Patson Ncube, yesterday said the local authority had gone for more than a week without water.
“The water was disconnected last week on Monday and we now rely on boreholes.
“This is posing a health threat as we don’t have running water for flush toilets in areas such as clinics,” said Ncube.
He said Zinwa advised council to pay $7,000 before reconnecting water and to arrange a payment plan to clear the debt.
Ncube said council was unable to pay the amount because it was owed $150,000 by consumers.
“Residents and businesses owe us more than $84,000 while government departments owe us over $70,000,” he said.
Ncube accused residents of not servicing their debts saying the situation had been worsened by a recent High Court ruling which barred local authorities from disconnecting water to residents.
“Since the Harare High Court ruling, residents have been reluctant to pay their bills. We owe Zinwa very little compared to what consumers owe us,” he said.
“When we approach residents they say they don’t have money but it’s a matter of prioritising their obligations. Water is very cheap.”
Zinwa Corporate Communications manager Marjorie Munyonga confirmed the development.
“We have been rationing water after they failed to pay their debts. Currently we’ve disconnected them but we are still engaging them so that we normalise water provision. They owe us $11,000,” she said.
Last month, the High Court said it was unconstitutional for local authorities to disconnect water to residents without seeking court approval.
Zinwa is owed more than $100 million by various debtors who include local authorities and government departments.
Recently, the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Cde Saviour Kasukuwere urged Zinwa’s debtors to pay their dues to enhance service provision.
derick.khumalo