Kasukuwere urges Harare City Council to consider increasing water tariffs

In a letter rejecting Harare’s 2017 budget, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere urged Harare City Council to consider increasing water tariffs.

The minister said he was concerned that Harare owed water chemical suppliers more than $2 million over 120 days. Part of the letter reads:

It is of concern that the city of Harare owes water chemical suppliers more than $2 million for over 120 days. I am aware that Harare is selling water below the cost of producing same and yet no increase in the water tariff is proposed.

According to the recent minutes of the Finance and Development Committee, acting town clerk Mrs Josephine Ncube sought authority to effect all necessary adjustments to the 2017 council budget in retrospect. The committee was however of the view that the issue relating to increase in water tariffs had to be considered taking into account all relevant factors. Analysts have however urged council to deal with non-revenue water before effecting any price increase.

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