At a recent stakeholders indaba they threatened to take to the streets if the council goes ahead with the planned system. Simbarashe Moyo, chairperson of the Combined Harare Residents Association, said the local authority, government officials and legislators were “cowards and liars who failed to further the interests of citizens”.
“As Harare has vowed to go ahead with the pre-paid water plan, we are prepared to protest and torpedo the project,” he said in an exclusive interview, warning that residents would camp at town house until the local authority gives in to their demands.
Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni said council would not reverse its decision as it was in the best interests of service delivery.
“With time, council would find ways of relieving the marginalised groups of the burden of paying for water,” he said, adding that Harare could not wait for the economy to recover before introducing the system.
Manyenyeni called on residents to be responsible citizens and pay for services. The local authority is owed over $300 million in unpaid water bills by households, government departments and industry and commerce.
Israel Mabhoo, chairperson Harare Residents Forum, indicated that his constituency was warming up for protests against the pre-paid water facility. “An inclusive and public participatory approach would help communities own council initiatives, bring about consensus and the much needed development,” Mabhoo said, warning of stiff resistance to the pre-paid water.
Residents said they were willing to pay for delivered services and urged council not to commercialise the provision of water as it would impact negatively on the poor.
Post published in: News