Water rate boycotts beginning to bite in Harare

By Tichaona Sibanda
17 October 2006

The widespread boycott of water rates launched by the Combined Harare Residents Association as part of their ongoing struggle against the tyranny at Town House has had a huge impact on the operations of the City of Harare.

As residents of the capital continue to withhold payment of their water rates, officials at the Town House have issued threats of water disconnections against the residents. Despite the threats, CHRA officials are happy with the development describing its effects as ‘people’s power beginning to bear fruit’.

On Monday, City of Harare public relations manager Percy Toriro told the state media that residents have up to the end of month to pay up the Z$4,6 billion in arrears. Failure will result in council disconnecting water supplies.

CHRA spokesman Precious Shumba said Tuesday that water disconnections are illegal whatever the circumstances, adding that residents of Harare will remain resolute in their rejection of a corrupt, illegal and unaccountable system of administration led by the Commission running the affairs of the City of Harare.

‘Threats don’t intimidate us. For the City to disconnect anyone’s water, they must obtain court orders but then they don’t have the capacity or means to face us in court. Residents of Harare, represented by CHRA will go all the way to defend their right to fair treatment and quality municipal services,’ Shumba said.

He said the City of Harare will soon realize that it neither has the capacity nor the law on its side to deal with defiant residents who refuse to pay the arrears on newly imposed water rates.

With residents drawing inspiration from the catchphrase ‘do not fund your own oppression’, CHRA is sure the threats issued by the municipality will soon backfire as more and more people participate in the boycott.

Shumba was adamant they would continue to mobilize residents to stand up for themselves until those at Town House realise that the implied contract between residents and the city fathers has to be honoured by both parties.

‘It must first address the water supply, administration and billing side of the contract before acting against residents. If the City of Harare decides to be confrontational and proceeds to act outside the law, then CHRA will be left with no option but to respond in the best legal interests of residents,’ he said.