Back to Index

Outcry as ZINWA tariffs continue to bite - rates boycott gathers momentum
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
October 11, 2007

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) raised its water tariffs 3 weeks ago to levels that have left Harare residents thunder struck. The water tariffs have been increased from $3596, 20 per cubic meter to $23 765, 63 backdated to August 1 2007. Residents who received bills of between $5million and $25 million continue to flood CHRA offices stating that they cannot afford the bills. What is baffling is that residents continue to receive erratic water supplies amid the ballooned costs.

Residents have suffered in a number of ways as a result of the takeover. Here are some of the complaints brought by residents to CHRA.

• Disease outbreaks (Cholera and Dysentery) mostly in Mabvuku, Tafara and Mbare
• Increased water bills
• Right to challenge water increases usurped
• Erratic water supplies (dirty when supply comes)
• Unattended sewer bursts

CHRA urges all residents to boycott payments of water bills. CHRA continues to receive many residents looking for information on the rates boycott campaign. The campaign has been running for the past one year and has over 3000 rate boycotters. Residents are willing to starve the regime of vital resources that are sustaining oppression. ZINWA is illegitimate and has no legal mandate to collect water bills. Residents must not fund their oppression.

The takeover of water services from local authorities follows a Cabinet decision authorizing the water body to act as such. Harare has been having water problems ever since. We appeal to other local authorities to resist the takeover as it will lead to the collapse of services in the country. ZINWA has no capacity to run water affairs.

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP