HARARE, Apr.14 (NewsDay Live) - Harare mayor Jacob Mafume has defended his council's recent decision to introduce prepaid water meters, saying the system will improve revenue collection and allow the local authority to reinvest in water infrastructure.
Mafume made the remarks Tuesday after touring the main sewer pipes at Amalinda stream crossing in Harare South constituency.
He said the prepaid water meters scheme would benefit both the council and residents by promoting transparency and efficiency.
“People were complaining that we were charging them for what we were not giving them. So once you have a prepaid water meter, if the water has not come, we are not charging you. Also, we are no longer giving you estimates,” Mafume said.
He added that the system would also address disputes between landlords and tenants over utility payments.
“For landlords, it means tenants pay for electricity on their own and they pay for the water on their own. Tenants have been giving landlords money to pay; it is the best way for us to manage,” he said.
Mafume said prepaid meters would improve the council’s cash flow and enable it to respond more effectively to service delivery challenges.
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“For the council and the residents, it also means that we get our money in advance and therefore we get our money in real time and we are able to invest in the water,” he said.
But some residents and civic groups are against the move arguing that prepaid water meters would limit access to water, which is a basic human right.
They also argue that the council lacks the capacity to provide water consistently.
