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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) has restored water supplies to Beitbridge town after cutting off supplies on Tuesday over a debt.
Resumption of normal water supplies followed negotiations between Zinwa and the municipality.
On Tuesday, residents woke up to dry taps after the water authority cut off bulk water supplies following a disagreement over the billing system.
The two parties have had endless disputes over the management of water affairs.
Beitbridge town clerk, Mr Loud Ramakgapola said they had negotiated with Zinwa to restore supplies. Council owes ZINWA a total of ZiG2,2 million and had been requested to pay at least ZiG94 000 weekly. However, the local authority was only paying ZiG20 000 per week, prompting Zinwa to cut off bulk water supplies.
“We have engaged Zinwa and they restored bulk water supplies on condition that we come up with a reasonable payment plan to service our debt.
“We have called a meeting with residents and local stakeholders to explain the position and encourage them to pay up so that we are able to pay at least ZiG35 000 to Zinwa,” said Mr Ramakgapola. The water supply cut caused panic and fears of an outbreak of water-borne diseases in the town of an estimated 100 000 residents which handles another 15 000 people in transit daily. Water vendors immediately took advantage of the situation to make brisk business.
Zinwa spokesperson, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga, said they were billing the municipality an average of Z500 000 for monthly bulk raw water requirements while the local authority was making average monthly payments of Z80 000 resulting in arrears accumulating to the current Z2,2 million.
Online Reporter