STAFF WRITER
BINGA’S water supply has been terminated by Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) due to a ZWL$1, 5 million debt, leaving residents in a catch 22 situation.
The water supply was terminated on September 23.
Marjorie Munyonga, ZINWA spokesperson, said they had taken the step following the failure by the Binga Rural District Council (RDC) to service its debts.
“With regards to one of the areas in Binga having their water supplies discontinued, the authority took that rare step following the failure by Binga RDC to settle the bill they owe ZINWA,” said Munyonga.
“At the time the supplies were discontinued, the council owed ZINWA in excess of $ 1, 2 million. The residents pay their bills to Binga RDC, which should in turn, remit funds to ZINWA,” she further said.
Munyonga insisted that supplies will resume once the RDC pays its debt.
“ZINWA reiterates that water users need to settle their water bill on time as that is the only way to guarantee service delivery,” said Munyonga.
“For ZINWA to efficiently and sustainably provide service, it needs resources for the maintenance of equipment, procurement of water treatment chemical stocks, fuels and electricity, which can only take place when users pay their bills,” she added.
Munyonga said they are currently engaged in discussions with the council to map the way forward.
However, according to the residents, they are apoplectic with their council because they have been paying rates.
“One September 25 a committee visited council and were told that ZINWA closed water because council had a credit of over a million dollars and the question was, are residents paying to council and on the other hand is council paying the money paid by residents to ZINWA,” said the residents.
Further, residents said letters were written to the ward councillor, the RDC chief executive officer Joshua Muzamba and the chief over the matter.
“On the first of October a meeting was held by the council administration and ward councillor but no solution came out of that meeting, water remained closed,” said the residents.
“On October 2 another meeting was held between the social services officer, ward councillor and the committee but there was no solution that came out of that meeting and a follow up was done and nothing came as a solution.”
