HARARE, Apr.9 (NewsDayLive) – The Community Water Alliance (CWA) and the Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights (MIHR) have formally submitted a petition to the Parliament of Zimbabwe, urging lawmakers to halt the City of Harare’s plans to privatise water services.
The petition, delivered Tuesday, raises critical concerns about the potential impacts of privatisation on access to clean water for residents.
Parliament has since acknowledged receipt of the petition and is expected to deliberate on the concerns raised by CWA and MIHR.
The CWA said the petition calls for immediate parliamentary intervention to prevent any management handover to private entities without a thorough review of the Water Act and meaningful public consultations.
The organisations argue that water is a fundamental human right and should remain under public control to ensure equitable access, affordability, and accountability for all citizens.
According to the petition, the proposed privatization could lead to increased tariffs, diminishing access for marginalised communities, and a significant loss of public oversight.
Such changes, they warn, would exacerbate existing inequalities in water service delivery throughout the city, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations.
“The solution to Harare’s water challenges lies not in privatisation but in empowering public institutions to deliver reliable and safe water for all,” said CWA coordinator Hardlife Mudzingwa.
- Chitungwiza sewer infrastructure collapses
- Chitungwiza sewer infrastructure collapses
- ‘Residents charged for unconsumed water’
- Parched paradise: How Harare's water crisis is drowning dreams, deepening disparities
Keep Reading
The organisations are advocating for a robust public water system that prioritizes investment and enhanced accountability mechanisms rather than transferring control to private enterprises.
In their petition, CWA and MIHR called on Parliament to suspend all water privatisation initiatives, call for a national dialogue on the matter, and strengthen public water utilities to ensure seamless provision of the precious liquid.
