Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has violated a High Court ruling by embarking on a water disconnection blitz to recover over $90 million owed by residents.
A previous High Court ruling declared that local authorities must only disconnect water after obtaining a court order. Some residents spent the Christmas and New Year holidays without water. BCC senior public relations officer Mrs Nesisa Mpofu yesterday told The Chronicle there was nothing wrong with the disconnections since they are meant to encourage residents to pay bills. Said Mpofu:
Water disconnection in the city’s suburbs is not a new thing. This is something that occurs throughout the city because there are some people who do not pay their rates. The council is expected to provide clean water to its residents hence the local authority needs money to provide this service. We encourage residents to come and present their challenges to council. If you see council descending on your house to disconnect water, it will be after a realisation that you have not committed towards payment of rates. Also you would not have made plans on how you will clear your debt.
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