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HRT threatens demo against council’s water billing system

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THE Harare Residents’ Trust (HRT) has threatened to mobilise its members to demonstrate against Harare City Council’s shambolic water billing system following reports that some households continued to receive huge bills after being cut off over non-payment.

THE Harare Residents’ Trust (HRT) has threatened to mobilise its members to demonstrate against Harare City Council’s shambolic water billing system following reports that some households continued to receive huge bills after being cut off over non-payment.

By Phyllis Mbanje

Trust director Precious Shumba said over 1 200 residents had their water supplies cut off last month, but had continued to receive “shocking current bills”.

“We are pursuing the council on all fronts, engagement, mass mobilisation on an intense scale, and complete defiance. The council will never win the hearts and trust of the residents as long as they have this arrogant attitude where they believe in force instead of dialogue and being proactive, responding to the residents’ concerns,” Shumba said.

Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni recently admitted that the city’s billing system was in shambles.

“While they can make any kind of statements to try to intimidate residents, they will still not be able to raise the money to pay the huge salaries to senior management,” Shumba said.

“Their viable option is to engage the citizens, or alternatively, they have to reduce by 50% the charges for services and revamp their chaotic billing system, which senior management are using to steal from the residents.”

Shumba urged the disconnected debtors to reconnect themselves until council has rectified its erratic billing system.

“Councillors in Harare do not presently realise that they are being sabotaged by the council managers, and are made to believe that they are in charge, yet they are being prepared for a resounding defeat in 2018. Water is a right and cannot be used as a bargaining tool. The city must engage and listen to the people!” said Shumba.

Council spokesperson Michael Chideme could not be reached for comment as he was said to be in a meeting.