Community Water Alliance ward 44 structure note with concern removal of water meters by council officials on more than 30 houses in Kuwadzana. The reason for removing meters in purported non-payment for water by residents. The non-payment is for a composite bill and not water alone. The archaic Government Notice 164 of 1913 clearly stipulates conditions under which a water meter can be removed. Residents in Kuwadzana particularly the affected houses have not tempered with water meters but officious and overbearing City of Harare officials are abusing their powers preying on ignorance of citizens.

Arbitrary water disconnections have also been effected in almost three quarters of Kuwadzana extension. Water disconnections are being effected without due processes of 24 hours notice provided for in the outdated Government Notice 164 of 1913. Disconnections are also effected even on premises where the amount claimed to be owed is disputed. This action is a serious violation of the obligation to respect the human right to water as reflected on Sections 44, 68 and 77(a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 20 of 2013. The City of Harare is not providing alternative water source for affected citizens.

As the ward 44 committee of Community Water Alliance we call upon City Council authorities to abide by the law in their conduct as an administrative body. We further implore our councilors to review Government Notice 164 of 1913 so that it echoes provisions of the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe which we overwhelmingly voted for. Limitation of the human right to water should take into consideration the nature of the right concerned, the purpose of limitation, relationship between purpose and limitation as provided for on Section 86 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

Community Water Harare