The shocking new rates will be effective from September 1 and those failing to meet the payments risk being thrown out of the compound. The compound is home to more than 100 poor people either surviving on self-help projects.
Part of a typed council notice dated July 28 and signed by the Human Resources Officer, A. Magura, reads:
"With effect from September 1, 2011, the following charges shall apply. Electricity US$20.00 and water US$10.00 per month per family respectively. The increase has been necessitated by the high electricity bills that council is receiving every month. By management".
Previously, tenants paid US$2 in water and electricity bills per month per family. The new development comes in spite of the failure by the board to provide water or electricity for long periods of time.
In addition to the electricity and water bills, tenants have to fork out an additional average US$7 per room per month. Most houses are dilapidated with broken windows. They resemble stables for donkeys.
"The high water bill forced on poor tenants was also despite the fact that tenants use bore-hole water. Electricity supplies at the council living quarters are erratic. Tenants received electricity an average ten hours per week.
Since council no longer generated revenue following refusal by new farmers to pay farm levies, it decided to levy poor tenants to sustain the Chief Executive Officer, Tendai Gundo's, large life. Gundo continued buying himself top of the range 4X4 latest Toyota Hilux trucks despite council's dire financial position," said a management member.
Some poor tenants in the compound are former council workers who were recently given US$45 retrenchment gratuities after more than 30 years service. Others earn an average US$75 per month at nearby Mitchel and Mitchel Farm. The remainder survive on hewing and selling firewood in Marondera residential suburbs.
"The bills are unaffordable and would leave us poorer. This would leave us with no other dignified option but live on the streets," said a local woman.
Efforts to contact the Human Resources Officer or the Chief Executive Officer were fruitless. Magura and Gundo's mobiles were not reachable.
Post published in: News