CHRA calls for minister to disband ZINWA over water crisis

By Tererai Karimakwenda
18 May 2007

The Combined Harare Residents' Association (CHRA) has expressed deep concern about the management of the capital’s water resources by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA). Water shortages have become so critical that people in many areas are relieving themselves in the bushes, creating a health hazard at a time when the health delivery system has all but collapsed. Residents in areas like Mabvuku and Tafara sometimes go for weeks at a time without water. And businesses are complaining about intermittent cuts in supply.
CHRA’s vice chairman Israel Mabhoo, said the water problem is getting worse and water cuts are spreading to areas that were previously unaffected. This week ZINWA banned the use of hose pipes in Harare. Schools and clinics have also been affected. Without running water in the toilets, many students are polluting fields near their schools. Disabled patients and the elderly who are not as mobile are having a very tough time.

ZINWA was forced upon the city of Harare by the Minister of Local Government Ignatius Chombo. This is the same minister who illegally removed elected Mayor Elias Mudzuri and the elected councillors a few years ago. Chombo has since refused to organise elections for a new Mayor and Council, defying the Urban Councils Act and several judgements by courts of law, which ruled that the commission he appointed is illegal. For this reason CHRA has been calling for residents to boycott paying their rates.

The water crisis has added to the disaster that now characterises the management of service delivery in the city and CHRA said ZINWA has failed dismally to manage water supply. A statement released by CHRA said:
“The reshuffling of the Zinwa Board on Wednesday 25 October 2006 by Mutezo was clear confirmation that Zinwa has failed to perform, even to the low standards expected from parastatals. Minister Mutezo ordered the water authority to urgently address the water woes being experienced in Harare. The regime constantly demonstrates its centralist and commandist attitudes and believes that by issuing orders, the situation will be rectified, despite the fact that our water woes arise from a combination of bad policies, partisan political interference as well as technical and financial problems.”

CHRA is therefore calling on the whole nation to reject and denounce Minister Chombo and his cronies at the water authority. They also insist that ZINWA be disbanded immediately or that it becomes a department in the Ministry of Water Resources with a clear mandate.