By Correspondent
Community Water Alliance (CWA) has questioned the transparency of Harare’s multimillion-dollar water deal with Helcraw Engineering after Council received a fleet of vehicles bearing number plates associated with private ownership.
CWA Coordinator Hardlife Mudzingwa raised the issue after observing that the 17 single- and double-cab trucks still carry yellow number plates.
By law, government and council vehicles should have white plates.
The absence of such has prompted concerns about the status and ownership of the fleet.
Posting on Facebook, Mudzingwa said the number plates cast doubt on whether the vehicles actually belong to the City of Harare or are privately registered.
“I was checking all vehicles have yellow number plates when we know council vehicles should have white number plates.
“Are they private vehicles and if so registered in whose name?
“Thank you in advance for your response”, said Mudzingwa.
Controversial Deal
The vehicles were delivered as part of a controversial deal worth an estimated US$300 million.
Under the deal Helcraw Engineering is set to install prepaid water meters throughout Harare.
It will also rehabilitate sections of the capital’s ageing water infrastructure.
The local authority argues the arrangement will help curb rampant non-revenue water.
Currently about 60 percent of treated water is reportedly lost through burst pipes, leaks, obsolete meters and other commercial losses.
Mudzingwa, however, says the unexplained number plate issue further erodes public confidence in a deal that has already drawn scrutiny from residents and civil society groups.
More Concerns
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) Director Reuben Akili also expressed concern.
Akili said the Helcraw deal is shrouded in secrecy with residents in the dark about the contents of the agreement.
“The agreement between COH and Helcraw Engineering has remained a secret to residents.
“We urge council to be transparent and unpack the deal.
“Otherwise, it will continue to create perceptions which will impact on council’s integrity,” said Akili.
He further called on City of Harare to follow the city by laws and consult residents before signing agreements such as the Helcraw deal.
City of Harare spokesperson Stanley Gama promised to respond but had not done so by the time of publication.
