Residents up in arms over ‘unfulfilled promises’

RESIDENTS of Rusike Phase 3 in Marondera took to the streets on Monday to protest poor service delivery by Marondera Municipality.

Hundreds of residents carrying placards and occasionally breaking into song, thronged the local authority’s offices demanding an explanation on why they were insisting on charging rates for non-existent services.

The irate residents said the municipal officials should stop sending bills and collecting money if they were incapable of delivering services.

One of the residents, who spoke to The Herald on condition of anonymity, said Marondera Municipality had failed to provide any services since he started living in Rusike Phase 3 in 2014.

“I have been in Rusike since 2014 and that same year we approached the council with our plight and they promised to provide services, but up to now, they have not met their promise,” he said.

“We don’t have clean water to drink; there is no sewer, not even a single street light. We use water from unprotected and unsafe sources and we live in constant fear of health hazards.”

Another resident, who also elected to be anonymous for fear of victimisation, said they have tried in vain to have their grievances resolved since 2014.

“We visited these people long back and they dismissed us saying Rusike Phase 3 was not on their map and, as such, they will not provide services to us,” she said.

“We are, however, appalled that they send bills and demanded payment for water and other service charges, yet they don’t even provide those services. We are done paying them for nothing.”

The angry residents are now appealing to the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Cde July Moyo to intervene.