Peter Tanyanyiwa
Harare residents have expressed disappointment at inefficient service, which they attributed to ‘gross mismanagement’ of funds by the local authority.
Residents are not happy in view of worsening water challenges as Harare Municipality recently said it had ran out of water treatment chemicals.
“Everyone has been following corruption and mismanagement allegations against the local authority.
“As residents we are tired, now they are saying they don’t have money to provide service delivery which is their mandate.
“How can they say they don’t have money to treat water and collect refuse. So where do they get the money to pay their staff,” said Allan Makoni.
Other residents have however sympathised with the local authority saying the economic challenges have not spared the Municipality, and the recent development where they are now accepting payments in United States dollars will improve the situation.
“The economic challenges Zimbabwe is facing have not spared the local authority and I think it will be unfair if we judge them harshly. We have been paying our rates in RTGS and the water chemicals are being purchased in the United States dollars, this is why I think the recent development will go a long way in improving water production,” said Prince Makanda another Harare resident.
Ratepayers are disappointed as Council is struggling to provide service delivery which is their mandate.
But this has not stopped residents to be hopeful for better days in line with the recent dual pricing development provided the funds are properly managed.
The capital recently went without water for days in many parts of Harare, a situation that has become a common occurrence in this Covid-19 era and some are worried it’s a ticking time bomb.
“I would have thought in this Covid-19 era our local authority would work flat out to make sure that the residents get water supply.
“We understand we are facing economic challenges but this is a time to put everything else on hold if money for water treatment chemicals is not enough.
“Our health system without constant water supply is a ticking time bomb, and they need to take our health seriously,” added another Harare resident Godfrey Moyo.
Harare City Council in a notice said that it has been forced to reduce water production because it is facing challenges in procuring water chemicals necessary for purification.
“The City of Harare would like to advise residents that we are currently facing challenges in the procurement of water chemicals. This has seen us being forced to reduce water production. We will give updates as and when the situation improves.
“Harare City Council started drawing water from Lake Manyame with the migration from Lake Chivero to Manyame expecting to reduce the number of chemicals used to treat water from nine to three making it cost effective.”
Harare Municipality said $40 million is required to purchase chemicals against a monthly collection of about $20 million.
Earlier in February 2020, Harare City Council reportedly owed $80 million to local suppliers of water treatment chemicals.
The Capital’s Municipality was forced to cut off water supplies after it failed to settle the debt.
The Council followed advice from Government and contracted Chemplex Corporation to supply water treatment chemicals.
Government had advised Council to contract Chemplex Corporation after city fathers contended they were failing to get foreign currency for imported supplies.
Harare City Council imported eight treatment chemicals at US$3 million per month.
Some sections of Morton Jaffray Water Works, including clarifiers and filters, are undergoing rehabilitation.
The Government injected $37,4 million last year to improve water access and waste water treatment in Harare.
The plant has three waterworks stations, the first one was built in 1954, the second in 1972 and the other in 1994.