The Sunday News
Tinomuda Chakanyuka Sunday News Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) is considering disconnecting water supplies to local authorities who owe the parastatal more than $20 million in unpaid supplies of raw water.As of July 31, local authorities across the country owed Zinwa $23,2 million, with the councils being among the authority’s leading debtors who include irrigation farmers and Government.
Irrigators owe the parastatal $35,2 million while Government’s debt is estimated to be about $20 million.
These debts have accumulated since 2013.
Corporate communications and marketing manager for Zinwa, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga, told Sunday News on Thursday last week that Zinwa was pursuing a number of options, among them engaging debt collectors, to recover the money.
“Zinwa is currently pursuing various avenues to recover these outstanding amounts including engaging debt collectors, engaging the concerned local authorities and disconnecting supplies.
“We continue to appeal to these debtors to take practical steps towards the resolution of their debts. Those without the capacity to settle their bills in full should visit their respective Zinwa catchment offices and submit acceptable payment plans,” she said.
Early this year more than 100 000 Kwekwe residents spent three days without water after Zinwa disconnected the city over an outstanding debt of more than $1,2 million.
Kwekwe City Council was, however, reconnected following meetings between the city’s officials and Zinwa in which payment terms were agreed.
Beitbridge tops the list of local authorities debtors owing Zinwa $7,7 million followed by Gwanda which owes $6,3 million.
Victoria Falls owes $2,4 million while Bulawayo owes $1,3 million and Gweru $722 000.
Kadoma owes $597 317 with Mutare owing the least amount of $373 373.
Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (Ucaz) secretary general, Mr Tserayi Machinda, said it would be unfair and cruel for Zinwa to disconnect water supply to owing local authorities.
Mr Machinda urged the water authority to engage local authorities first and understand why they were failing to pay for the raw water supplied to them.
He argued that the directive by Government for local authorities to write off debts had crippled councils, resulting in them failing to pay for services rendered to them.
“It’s an unfair deal and a bit cruel because residents are the ones who are affected when water supply is disconnected. I think dialogue would be the best way to go, not legal action or disconnections.
“Councils supply water to Government departments and parastatals and these also owe councils a lot of money, which is why local authorities struggle to pay their debts.
“The directive by Government for councils to write off debts also left most local authorities in the red and we feel Zinwa should understand and opt for other means of recovering their debts,” said Mr Machinda.
Local authorities are on record clamouring to take over control of water treatment and distribution in their jurisdiction, with Government however resisting the move.
Mrs Munyonga said the handing over of water reticulation to local authorities was the mandate of Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate.
“It is true that some local authorities have been demanding control of water treatment and distribution in their areas of jurisdiction. There are, however, certain processes and procedures which should be followed for them to be given such control. These processes are usually handled at the parent ministry level,” she said.
Earlier this month Environment, Water and Climate Minister, Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, said Government would only hand over control of water reticulation to urban councils from Zinwa if the local authorities prove their capacity to execute the mandate.
