FRUSTRATED residents of Tafara high-density suburb in Harare recently convened at the local district office, voicing their outrage after receiving water bills despite not having access to tap water for over 20 years.
The community’s grievances highlight a serious disconnect between billing practices and actual water supply, with many residents questioning the accuracy of the bills, which record higher readings than those on their water meters.
One resident, who identified himself only as the Chief of Staff, expressed disbelief upon receiving his bill, stating: “I was shocked to receive this water bill when I was not even receiving a drop of water. I wondered where they got all these readings from.”
He criticised the city’s billing system, which appears to presume that water supply issues are non-existent.
Residents have witnessed sporadic water pipe repairs by city council workers in their area, leading to false hope that their water supply challenges will be resolved.
“We thought we would soon be receiving water, but all this just turned out to be a dummy or false action,” lamented Hombarume, a local resident in a community WhatsApp group.
Victor Mutasa, a district officer responsible for water and infrastructure development, assured residents that council is investigating the matter and will work tirelessly to resolve the water crisis.
However, assurances have done little to quell the discontent among residents.
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Lovemore Chengambika, another resident, described a recent incident where water filled the streets due to burst pipes, underscoring the deteriorating state of local infrastructure.
Local councillors, including Mercy Kasvosve from ward 20, have called on the city council to address the issue.
“Residents have been experiencing this problem for a long time now, with no tap water and frequent burst pipes,” Kasvosve stated, emphasising the urgent need for a comprehensive solution.
Similarly, the councillor for ward 9 raised concern about the health implications of the water crisis, warning that lack of access to clean water exposes residents to communicable diseases.
“It is high time the city council resolved this issue once and for all,” he said. The Combined Harare Residents Association has also criticised the water billing system, describing it as chaotic and a symptom of broader mismanagement within the city’s financial operations.
“We have always highlighted that the City of Harare has a shambolic billing system,” the association stated, calling for urgent reforms to address the long-standing issues.
The residents of Tafara now stand united in their demand for accountability and action from the city council.
As they await a solution, the ongoing water crisis serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by many communities in Harare, where ageing infrastructure and ineffective governance continue to worsen their plight.
