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ZINWA takeover of sewer and water services in Bulawayo
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
October 12, 2007

The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) has learnt with sadness the takeover of sewer and water services by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA). The City of Bulawayo has finally succumbed to pressure by the Minister of Local Government and Urban Development to hand over sewer and water services to ZINWA. The City of Bulawayo had staged a brave fight for the last months vowing that it will resist the takeover. The Takeover follows a cabinet decision authorizing the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) to takeover the administration of sewer and water services from local authorities. To date, ZINWA has implemented this decision in 14 local authorities with regrettable consequences.

The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) maintains its stance against the takeover of sewer and water services. The City of Bulawayo stands to loose over 40 percent in revenue as a result of the takeover. It will loose its staff and property that is has invested in for decades. Residents in Bulawayo will not be compensated for massive investment in water and sewer infrastructure they have made over the years in tariffs. They will also loose their right to challenge tariff increases as this will be the preserve of ZINWA and the Minister of Local Government and Urban Development. The ZINWA act has no framework for citizen consultation in matters to deal with tariff increases. Water services in Bulawayo are set for a major nose dive amid the ongoing water shortages experienced in the last few months. Research has revealed that various policy, economic and financial implications arise from the takeover.

Implications of the Takeover of the administration of sewer and water services

It is the finding of the CHRA, that ZINWA has no capacity to run water affairs in Zimbabwe. It is further reaffirmed by the ZINWA Board resolution early this year which states that the parastatal has no capacity to deliver water services. Two reports recently tabled in the House of Assembly by the portfolio committee of Local Government point to the fact that ZINWA is responsible for the water crisis in the country. The reports have further recommended that cabinet decision on the takeover must be reversed. The Urban Councils Association (UCAZ) has also added its weight on the voices demanding the reversal or halt of the takeover after an extensive study that exposed the incapacity of ZINWA.

Financial implications

• Local authorities will loose revenue base ranging between 50-85 % of total income. Harare lost about 50% and the City of Bulawayo stands to loose over 40% of its revenue base.
• The revenue realized from water supported other social services like, health, social welfare and recreation. The takeover will therefore cripple the capacity of Local authorities to provide these services.
• Local Authorities used sewer and water services as collateral security in borrowing and many local authorities had invested in water infrastructure and hence stand to loose in this regard.

Policy implications

• Due to ZINWA's national responsibility, it will use funds generated in a certain catchments area to another because of the water fund established in the act.
• The principle of good governance that facilitates the consultation of residents in the change of tariffs will be destroyed since ZINWA is accountable to central government and not the residents.
• The ZINWA act allows for the purchase of share holding by interested companies and individuals which translate to privatization of water service delivery, this will commercialize the delivery of water services as already being witnessed by the skyrocketing increase in water tariffs.

Technical implications

• ZINWA lacks administrative capacity to supply water and maintain sewer reticulation.
• Local Authorities use the same vehicles for different operations and in various departments. The takeover of vehicles from local authorities will deplete the capacity of other departments.

The Combined Harare Residents Association has coordinated formation of a National Water Taskforce in response to the water problems. The National Water Taskforce composed of nineteen (19) Residents Associations countrywide, formed at the recently held National Residents Convention in Masvingo on 3 June 2007, is a national initiative advocating for access to clean and safe water in Zimbabwe. The Taskforce was formed against the backdrop of the cabinet decision authorizing the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) to takeover the administration of sewer and water services from local authorities. In its meeting in Masvingo it made the following resolutions.

Water taskforce resolutions:

1. The water taskforce rejects the takeover of sewer and water administration form Urban Local Authorities.
2. Cabinet should reverse its decision in line with Parliament (house of Assembly and Senate) recommendations.
3. Continue to push for peaceful boycotts and resistance campaigns.
4. Lobby local authorities to resist the takeover of sewer and water administration.

CHRA believes that the future of local governance in Zimbabwe and local authorities is intricately linked with control of sewer and water services. CHRA is also convinced that the water crisis currently being experienced in the country arises primarily from the lack of expertise and financial resources to run water affairs. The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) has successfully lobbied Parliament (house of assembly and the Senate) to recommend to cabinet to reverse its decision on the takeover. We urge all Residents Associations and interested stakeholders push forward resistance campaigns demanding for access to clean and safe water across Zimbabwe and to reject the takeover of sewer, water supply and administration by ZINWA.

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