PLUMTREE residents have petitioned Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere demanding that their local authority be stopped from managing the town’s water distribution system.
BY MTHANDAZO NYONI
The residents want the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) to be in charge of the town’s water management system.
In a petition signed by more than 500 residents together with Combined Residents and Development Association (PCRADA) officials, the residents claimed the local authority’s water distribution was shambolic, hence the protests.
Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere [/Caption]
“Water is not available at all in some of the areas, for example Gassavu, Lakeview, Mathendele and so forth, whereas when Zinwa was in charge we didn’t face such problems,” part of the petition read.
“Though the community was consulted over the issue of water transfer from Zinwa to Plumtree Town Council, residents never agreed to have water taken from Zinwa. A fabricated attendance register was used as a petition to mislead the Local Government and Public Works ministry that the community had signed a petition for the transfer.”
The petition added that the quality of the water had also dropped since the takeover by town council.
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The residents said burst pipes were not attended to promptly, resulting in the town going for days without water.
“With the above-named reasons, as residents we expect to see water back to Zinwa so that we see transparent, affordable and quality water service. We always have confidence in your office and hope to get a favourable response from you.”
Meanwhile, the residents hailed Kasukuwere for rejecting the local authority’s proposed 2016 budget, saying they were not even consulted when it was crafted.
“Therefore, residents are requesting to be consulted fully and fairly before the document are sent to the minister’s office,” reads the petition.
Plumtree town secretary David Luthe was unreachable for comment yesterday.
