Sunday News (Zimbabwe)

Zisco water reconnecte­d

- Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspond­ent

THE Kwekwe City Council has reconnecte­d water to Redcliff Town after the two local authoritie­s agreed on a payment plan that will see the latter inheriting a $9 million debt which was left by the Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company.

Redcliff Municipali­ty has since paid an undisclose­d amount to Kwekwe City Council so that they would be reconnecte­d following reports of a looming health hazard in Torwood. Ziscosteel owe the Kwekwe City Council about $16,5 million in unpaid water bills. Redcliff Municipali­ty has been reluctant to pay the debt arguing that Kwekwe City Council had an agreement with Ziscosteel and not the local authority.

The water supplies to Redcliff were last month disconnect­ed to force the town council to pay off its debt, resulting in the area going for two weeks without water. Redcliff Town Mayor Councillor Fred Kapuya said the water supplies were reconnecte­d after they paid part of the money owed to Kwekwe City Council.

“Kwekwe City Council reconnecte­d water supplies in the town last Thursday after we have paid part of the money to settle our $9 million debt and we are not in a position to disclose the amount we paid. However, we have been disconnect­ing water for the residents so that they clear their arrears, so we can get enough money to settle the debt,” he said.

Clr Kapuya said 95 percent of the residents were sitting on between 10 and 15 months in arrears.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Zimbabwe