GWANDA Town Council has said the decision by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) to cut off water supplies to the town over a $5 million debt is illegal as it contravenes a High Court order barring the authority from rationing water.
ALBERT NCUBE OWN CORRESPONDENT
Gwanda mayor Knowledge Ndlovu said council had done its best to engage Zinwa authorities over the water problem for the past two weeks, but all meetings had yielded nothing.
“We were in Bulawayo on Monday to try and engage Zinwa, but we cannot afford the amount they are demanding. We have since engaged police so that Zinwa abides by the court order,” said Ndlovu.
According to an interim relief order granted by Justice Martin Makonese at the Bulawayo High Court on March 6 2014, Zinwa was ordered not to interfere with water supplies to the town.
“The respondents, Zinwa chief executive officer, Zinwa, Tonny Rosen, Stanley Nazombe and Freedom Khumalo are hereby ordered to forthwith ensure full, complete and undisturbed water supplies to the municipality of Gwanda upon service of this provisional order. For avoidance of doubt, the respondents named or any of their agents or assignees are ordered and directed not to implement any water rationing of whatever nature whatsoever at the Gwanda municipality without leave of this honourable court,” Justice Makonese’s order reads.
The municipality had gone to court after Zinwa disconnected supplies in March. Ndlovu said they had approached the police and were hoping normal water supplies would resume.
“Zinwa officials told police they do not have purification chemicals, but they did not raise that with us. However, we have supplied them with nine bags and we hope they abide by the law,” said Ndlovu.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
According to an agreement between Zinwa and the municipality, the latter should remit 70% of its water revenue to Zinwa.
Ndlovu said they had been paying between $10 000 and $15 000 monthly to Zinwa, but the water authority is demanding $40 000 monthly to ensure uninterrupted supplies.
The shortage of water has raised fears of an outbreak of diseases, especially in schools.
