Byo residents water meter demo

The move to demonstrate follows the local authority’s intention to pilot test prepaid water meters which they installed in Cowdray Park’s Hlalani Kuhle area before rolling out to the rest of the city next year.

Residents led by a consortium of local civic organisations which include Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) , Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA ) , Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Association (ZCIEA and Bulawayo Agenda staged a peaceful march from Egodini bus terminus to the Large City hall where they presented a petition to council officials.

“Woza demands the full right to water as promised in section 77 of the constitution. We are quite aware that pre-paid water meters will deprive residents their right to this precious liquid. Every person has a right to safe, clean and potable water. Pre-paid meters violates these rights” said WOZA leader Jannie Williams”

BPRA Advocacy and programmes manager, Emmanuel Ndlovu said Friday’s demonstrations were meant to encourage the city fathers to rescind the decision to introduce the gadgets. The protests also sought to raise awareness on the issue of prepaid water meters and begin a sustained debate so that the views of residents are heard.

“Based on research on what happened after the introduction of prepaid water meters in many parts of Africa, the participating organisations position is that prepaid water meters are not suitable as a water management system in Zimbabwe” said Ndlovu. He said research had shown that the gadgets led to an outbreak of cholera in Madlebe in KwaZulu Natal, leading to loss of life, and seriously undermining the right to water in many poor communities.

“It is the organisation’s contention that similar problems would be faced in Bulawayo if the local authority goes ahead with its plans to install the gadgets. Pre-paid water meters also lead to social disintegration and regression of women’s gains in gender equality “he said.

Police in full riot gear kept an eagle eye on the demonstrators who were singing and dancing denouncing the prepaid water meters.