The government is grappling with significant public outcry after its controversial decision to privatize water services in urban areas.
This move includes a recent agreement with a Chinese company, in partnership with a local authority, to construct a new water treatment reservoir for Harare.
Critics are voicing concerns about the implications for access to clean water and the potential impact on local communities. They further state the government is wrong to focus on privatizing social services in Harare. If they really want to privatize, they should start with failing companies like Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) and National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).
Reuben Akili, programs manager for the Combined Harare Residents Association, warns that privatization will strip local authorities like Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls of their assets. He questions who was consulted in this agenda, emphasizing the need to address water issues and prioritize devolution as outlined in the Constitution.
“Who was consulted in this whole privatization agenda of waste management and water service provision? Our water problems need to be understood so that, at the end of the day, we can be able to have meaningful water flows in our taps, thereby ensuring that the basic human right to water is realized,” he said.
“We need to fix the destruction of wetlands and corruption. We need to fix this in terms of our priorities as local authorities and even at the central government level. Unfortunately, these arrangements, which are imposed on residents, fight and militate against Chapter 14 of the Constitution in terms of devolution implementation.”
Precious Shumba, director for Harare Residents Trust, criticizes the government’s push for privatization, stating it enriches a select few while undermining local governance.
He emphasizes the need for devolution as per the Constitution, warning that privatization will drive up service costs and remove citizens from decision-making.
“When you look at privatization, you are looking at one form of decentralization, and we need to have an appreciation of the fact that devolution is provided for in the Constitution.”
“What we have is an alternative to one that seeks to enrich a few areas linked to government ministers, to the presidium, and to senior government bureaucrats in the name of privatization.” He said privatization would increase the cost of services to consumers.”
“They are removing the citizens from the governance and administration of our local authorities in the name of wanting to expose the incompetence of the opposition,” Shumba said. “Their desire is not to improve service delivery, but they are driven by an agenda that is fueled by the ruling party wanting to take control of local authorities, which are mainly in the hands of opposition councillors,” Shumba said.
