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Lovemore Meya Herald Correspondent
Chitungwiza residents are not happy with plans by the local authority to increase water tariffs if the Harare City Council hike tariffs next year. In the 2018 budget, City of Harare proposed to hike rates from 25 cents to 75 cents. In an interview yesterday, residents’ representative bodies said the municipality’s move is ill-advised considering that currently it is failing to provide basic services.

Chitungwiza Progressive Residents Association secretary-general Mr Gift Kurupati said council should deal with illegal water connections first.
“Council’s announcement to hike water tariffs is unjustified because currently residents get water twice per week instead of everyday,” said Mr Kurupati. Sometimes it is unfair to be charged for the service not rendered considering that quite a huge number of people in Chitungwiza are unemployed. On the other hand, we would also want to encourage our ratepayers to continue paying their bills.”

Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association (CAMERA) spokesperson Mr Marvellous Kumalo said: “The water tariff hike is not justified. The council must instead focus on improving the quality of water that it gives to residents, as well as prioritising its availability to residents.”