Nathi Masuku
POLICE in Binga have reportedly arrested at least 32 residents who were demonstrating against the local council’s continued water cuts.
The resort area has gone for a month now without water as Binga Rural District Council fails to pay the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) more than $1 million in water debts accrued since 2014.
Residents, Thursday morning assembled peacefully outside council offices were they sought audience from chief executive Joseph Muzamba.
This comes after repeated failed meetings between Zinwa, council and the residents.
One of the protesters alerted The Zambezi Times of the arrest.
“We have been arrested. As I speak the CID details are profiling us,” said the resident in condition of anonymity.
Matabeleland North police spokeswoman, Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese could not immediately confirm.
Muzamba however said he was not aware of the incident.
“Sorry I am not in Binga. Contact the office,” he said.
The council, according to residents at the settlement known as kumaSotsha, water is charged at $583, 80 per month, a far cry from Zinwa’s.
Binga town is only 3KM from the Zambezi River and council relies on Zinwa for bulk water supplies to residents and the business community.
Touted as a an underutilised tourism attraction, the unavailability of water in the area is likely to bring down efforts of resuscitating the tourism industry.
Covid-19 fears mount among residents and visitors.
