Massive water cuts loom

The Harare City Council been given the blank cheque to effect massive water cuts over unpaid bills after the High Court dismissed an urgent chamber application by three residents challenging the disconnection of their water supplies.

The ruling came as Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere recently voiced his support for councils to effect water cuts for defaulting ratepayers.

The applicants had sought an interdict order barring the city from cutting water supplies until the matter was finalised.

However, Harare Residents' Trust director Precious Shumba said although the ruling was correct at law, it would not set aside an earlier ruling by the High Court on the Farai Mushoriwa versus Harare City Council case which observed that water cuts effected without a court order were unconstitutional.