By Lynette Manzini
Community Water Alliance in collaboration with Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights have petitioned parliament over the intended privatization of water and water levies imposed on residents.
Section 149 of the Zimbabwe Constitution allows for citizens or any permanent resident to petition Parliament on matters within its jurisdiction.
In accordance with the constitution, the petition is a response to government and councils plan to introduce private companies in the water purification and supply matrix, a move which has attracted mixed reactions.
Currently, Harare City Council is engaging with Helcraw Electrical and Liaison Technologies as the private players to work on a water treatment plant and installation of prepaid water meters.
Helcraw Electrical is owned by ZanuPF member of Parliament Farai Jere and Liaison Technologies is a Chinese company.
The selection of these two companies has raised eyebrows as this project did not go for tender.
Some members of society believe that private players are only interested in making profit a situation which will create inequality in the access of the precious liquid.
Again, the petitioners are querying the water levies imposed on Harare residents by the City Fathers in order to settle an over a decade year loan.
The USD$144 million loan was secured during the inclusive government era was meant to improve water supply and sewage reticulation in the capital city.
However, concerns have been raised about the council’s handling of the loan, including the lack of transparency in its utilization.
Over a decade later, the loan remains unpaid, and water supply in the city is still erratic, with some suburbs going months without water.
In a petition handed to parliament on 7 April 2025, the petitioners sought transparency regarding the loan.
“Our prayer to Parliament of Zimbabwe is that: City of Harare to give details on the use of China Exim Bank water loan and demonstrate components at Morton Jaffray that were rehabilitated by ZIMFUND Phase 1 and 2, with clear separation of how rehabilitation by the loan is different from ZIMFUND grants,” read part of the petition.
Furthermore, the petitions believe that local authority has no legal standing to bring in a private player into water purification and supply.
“Summon Local Authorities to explain where they are deriving legal power and authority to enter into contractual agreements with private players like Helcraw Electrical and Lyson (sp) Technologies,” the petition added.
Similar, to the loan, the issue of privatization of water was introduced during the inclusive government.
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