Terrence Mawawa|At a time the ruling party Zanu PF is blaming local authorities for failing to provide proper services for residents, it has emerged government departments owe Masvingo City Council $ 20 million in unpaid bills.

Speaking at a public dialogue facilitated by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches in Masvingo today, council employees have alleged that government departments including the police and the army owe the city council millions of dollars in unpaid water bills.

“Why is the city council disconnecting water supplies to high density suburbs while government departments- the police and the army in particular- owe the local authorities $ 20 millions dollars in unpaid water bills?

Last year we went to the army to disconnect water suppliers but the soldiers threatened us.

The police camps in the city also owe use millions of dollars.The council does not have the capacity to push the army and the police to clear the water arrears,” said a senior council official.