The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Tuesday, February 23, 1993 — The acting city treasurer, Mr John Nlebgwa, has been criticised by a Bulawayo city councillor for pre-empting council discussion by making an announcement on a matter which was still to be discussed by the Finance Committee.

Mr Nlebgwa was quoted in the Press at the weekend as saying a new billing system for water consumption for residents in Bulawayo’s high density suburbs was being worked out. He said under the existing system, residents in high density suburbs were paying for 14 kilolitres whether or not they use that much water.

The acting city treasurer said a new system which would allow residents in the high density suburbs to pay for water in the same way as their counterparts in the low density suburbs was yet to be approved by council. The measure comes after complaints from residents in the high density suburbs.

The councillor for Ward 21, Mika Mpofu, said on Sunday that Mr Nlebgwa had no right to disclose the information to the Press as the matter was still being discussed by the Finance Committee and a decision was yet to be made.

Clr Mpofu also criticised the existing system, saying the city council was “stealing’’ from the people in the high density suburbs as it was unfair for them to charge a fixed fee for 14 kilolitres regardless of whether or not a consumer used that much water.

He said: “Council is not a commercial enterprise, it is there to provide services to the residents. Who cares if it does not make money?”

The deputy Town Clerk, Mr Moffat Ndlovu, declined to comment, saying it was council policy that council officials do not comment on issues involving councillors.