Harare Residents Trust says no to pre-paid water meters

Harare Residents Trust has told Harare residents to say no to the installation of pre-paid water meters as the money they would be forced to pay for water would be channeled to workers salaries ahead of ensuring that water is always available to the residents.says no to pre-paid water meters

"Residents, the City of Harare wants you to pay water before you use it, and if the water you buy runs out and you do not have money, then you will not drink any water. Presently you pay water after you have used the water," said the trust.

"You are charged fixed and consumption charges. When the money is now with Harare Water, they are also using it to pay salaries to workers, and none is being used to replace archaic underground water pipes and help purify the water."

The Trust said instead of focusing on persuading residents to appreciate the value in the prepaid water meters, the City of Harare is spending thousands of dollars of ratepayers money in putting advertisements in newspapers, splashing adverts on radios.

"They can actually engage the residents and receive direct feedback using their district offices but they are afraid of the people," the trust said.

"The information we have secured is that some of the officials running with the prepaid water project were given kickbacks by companies bidding to supply the prepaid water meters, and so are under pressure to buy and install the prepaid water meters. Issues of accountability become critical, and the HRT says no to prepaid water meters."