Chipinge town residents run amok, as they reject increment of water rates

By Allan Murozvi

Residents of Chipinge town have caused a stir  by accusing the local authority of mismanagement and incompetence,  which are responsible in the eventual decision by  ZESA to disconnect the water source for residence.

ZESA was forced to disconnect water for residence over non-payment of a bill amounting to over I million dollars. The local Council is now in a catch 22 situation since the on-going budget consultation to increase the rates are now in limbo.

The budget consultation meetings are scheduled in terms of the Urban Council Act, to prepare the 2020 budget. The exercise which  started on Monday the 21st of October 2019,is now uncertain as residents  are refusing to budge as they demand to understand what led to the bill ballooning to  I million dollars when water had not been efficiently distributed by authority .

 Residents suspect that if the rates are increased, this will continue to give the local authority uninterrupted access to Council funds without accountability. They are not ready to approve the proposals as they view the proposed figures of an interbank equivalent of USD 8 is beyond the reach of the majority. This proposal to increase water rates for Chipinge town residence is failing to find takers and now raising emotions.

 Ward 4 residents have already disrupted a consultation meeting at Gaza Town Hall. The Council management had to call police after the residents became agitated. They are threatening to expose unethical operations of council which might eventually need the Anti-Corruption Commission to intervene.