Initially, the council said it needed $300,000 and even promised residents that by August last year they would have water running from their taps. But recently, City engineer Donald Nyatoti told a council meeting that $700,000 was needed to complete the project.
The Dangamvura water project stalled when council was allegedly defrauded of $330,000 meant for pipes.
Several senior council employees were implicated in the botched water pipes deal that saw council being duped by a briefcase company.
The deal also sucked in former councillor Xavier Upare who was fired by Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo over his alleged involvement in the matter as chairperson of the procurement committee.
But residents interviewed by The Zimbabwean said their patience has been stretched too far and they now want to take action against the local authority.
“The project began in 1996 and there has been no meaningful development in almost 20 years,” said John Dzimwasha, a local resident.
Maritha Boka weighed in saying, “Council should expedite the completion of the project because we have endured years without access to clean water, despite being levied water and service charges every month”.
Residents also fear that lack of water could trigger more cases of diarrhoea as some residents have resorted to using the bush system because of water challenges.
Post published in: News