Zimpapers Logo

Midlands Correspondent
ZimCoke (Pvt) Limited, which recently took over Ziscosteel’s coking plant, is set to give $5 million to Redcliff Municipality to address its water challenges ahead of the commencement of the firm’s operations next year. ZimCoke is finalising the $133 million acquisition of the plant with Government.

Part of the deal entails ZimCoke assisting the cash-strapped local authority, which has a perennial water problem, with money to attend to its water issues as part of its corporate social responsibility.

In an interview, Redcliff mayor Councillor Clayton Masiyatsva confirmed that they were expecting to get money from the company.

“Part of the agreement between the company and Government was that it should assist in water rehabilitation so that operations are not disturbed,” he said.

“We are yet to receive the funding, but I am confident that it will come through once the talks with Government have been concluded.”

Clr Masiyatsva said the money would be channelled towards settling the $3 million they owe Kwekwe City Council for water supply and repairs of water pumps.

“As you know, we owe Kwekwe City about $3 million for water supply,” he said.
“So, the money will go a long way in settling the bill and also rehabilitate their pumps because it would be easier for them to supply us with water.”

The local authority recently abandoned a $15 million water reticulation programme at Cactus Dam after feasibility studies revealed some anomalies at the water body.

Clr Masiyatsva said the development left them with no option but to fund the rehabilitation of the Kwekwe City pumps.
“We are tied down by the latest development after we resolved to abandon the Cactus Dam project,” he said.

“While we hunt for an alternative, we will fund the rehabilitation of pumps at Dutchman’s Pool in Kwekwe so that we can receive our supplies easily.”

Redcliff has been seeking a long-lasting solution to its perennial water shortages since Ziscosteel stopped operating.
Ever since then, the local authority has been relying on Kwekwe City Council for water supplies.