ZVISHAVANE — The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) has threatened to sue former Zvishavane acting town clerk Maxwell Mugandani over his statements last year, alleging the organisation had run down water and sewer reticulation systems in the town. Report by Blessed Mhlanga, Staff Reporter
Zinwa through its lawyers Chinamasa, Mudimu and Dondo accused Zvishavane Town Council and Mugandani of making false utterances tarnishing its image.
Mugandani reportedly blamed the water authority for failing to rehabilitate systems.
“We have to lay new pipes because apart from the breakdown in the pumps at Kandodo, the pipes that carry sewer to Mabhula treatment works are blocked because during the time of Zinwa, the sewer system collapsed and waste that was in the pipes dried and blocked them, so we can’t use them anymore,” he said.
But the Zinwa lawyers wrote last week: “The said article was malicious to the extent that it portrayed a picture that our client vandalised the sewer system which now requires $3,7 million to revamp.
“The article was intended by you to tarnish the good name and reputation of our client who was severely defamed by the article.”
Mugandani confirmed receiving the notice of litigation by Zinwa, but refused to comment further saying it was sub judice.
Local Government deputy minister Sesel Zvidzai however defended Zvishavane saying it was without question that urban local authorities had to struggle to bring back to life obsolete water and sewer treatment plants which had been run down by Zinwa.
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Zinwa has, however, not indicated how much it requires in the lawsuit.
Towns reduced to sewage pools
“IT is without question that in 2008, towns were reduced to swimming pools — pools of sewerage which was flowing freely on the streets because of Zinwa mismanagement. These councils have done a sterling job to improve the lives of citizens,” he said.
