City council inks deals, residents see little relief in worsening water crisis

KUDAKWASHE CHIBVURI

Harare’s water crisis is deepening, with residents enduring prolonged periods without access to clean water.

This dire situation has unfolded as the Harare City Council (HCC) signs memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with private sector players in an effort to address the city’s persistent water challenges.

However, many residents view these agreements as financially motivated rather than genuine attempts to solve the crisis.

The HCC, in partnership with the government and private companies such as Laison Technology and Helcraw Electrical, has launched initiatives to refurbish the Morton Jaffray Water Works and install prepaid water meters across the city. Yet, with large sections of Harare still struggling to access potable water, skepticism over the effectiveness of these projects is growing.

Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe defended the partnerships, saying:“This collaboration will help construct another water plant on the eastern side of the capital. We are working to ensure residents have access to tap water.”

He stressed the urgency of the matter, noting that some neighborhoods have gone decades without running water.

Despite these assurances, Reuben Akili, director of the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA), strongly opposes the MoUs.

“We condemn any privatization of public utilities,” he said.

“These agreements have been made without citizen participation and seem to serve interests beyond service provision.”

Akili pointed to the failure of prepaid water meters in suburbs like Sunnydale and Kambuzuma, questioning the logic behind installing 650,000 more across the city.

“Our research shows these meters have not worked in the past. Without addressing the root causes, this initiative will not fix the problem,” he argued.

He further criticized the government’s priorities, emphasizing that wetland protection and sewer system improvements are being neglected.

“Sewage is being discharged into Lake Chivero, contaminating our water supply,” he said. “The city is hemorrhaging funds, and simply installing prepaid meters will not prevent financial mismanagement.”

With no immediate solution in sight, more residents are resorting to borehole water as a temporary fix. Akili urged authorities to declare Harare’s water crisis a national emergency.

“Without meaningful citizen involvement in decision-making, these projects will continue to fail, leaving residents without reliable access to clean water.”