ZINWA meets Habane residents over water crisis
ESIGODINI – Habane residents, on Tuesday morning met with representatives from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) to deliberate on the water administration in the area. The discussion came amid revelations of high water charges that Habane residents are expected to pay.
ZINWA representatives managed to shed light on the billing system that is currently being used in Habane. In their presentation, it emerged that water charges are on the rise due to the mark up added from water that would have been purchased from Bulawayo City Council (BCC).
Such developments lead to a hike in bills that residents end up paying towards access to water.
“When we purchase water from Bulawayo City Council, we then add a bit of markup for water purification which is incorporated into the water bills so that there is clean water provision for Esigodini residents,” said Nyarai Nyoni, ZINWA service leader.
Residents bemoaned lack of efficiency of ZINWA officials, citing that water samples were submitted to the relevant office last year for quality testing although there still has not been any form of feedback since the time.
“We attended a workshop on the water situation in Habane and we asked ZINWA to look into the samples from our tap water to guarantee whether or not water is safe for human consumption,” added Jeniva Ngwenya, a gender and human rights activist.
In response, Nyoni, a representative from ZINWA pledged to collect samples in due course to test for the rate of contamination in water currently being supplied to the residents.
Speaking during the meeting, Mzondiwa Ndlela, a member of Esigodini Residents Association cited the sudden spike in cases of sexual violence in the Ward, at identified water points.
“It’s unfortunate that women and girls are expected to fetch water for domestic use and in worst case scenarios, at night,” said Ndlela. “It breaks my heart to note that the water crisis is putting people’s lives at risk, especially women and girls. The best is for women to fetch water when it is safer unlike risking their lives at night fall.”
Residents encouraged ZINWA to improve on the water meter reading system as a matter of urgency.
“We are forced to pay exorbitant bills when we hardly have access to water,” said one resident. “It is on isolated instances that ZINWA goes out of its way to inspect our water meters. It is usually upon request from residents for such an act to happen.”
Habane Councilor Patson Sibanda encouraged ZINWA to work together with Council in activities that require an improvement in the provision of water in the Ward.
He further urged residents to select a Water Point Committee that will play a fundamental role on the water crisis in the area.
Meanwhile, Habane residents are yet to convene a meeting that will observe members of the community being elected into the water point committee to help in regulating access to water at community boreholes.