MDC-T's position on water meters

The MDC-T wishes to make it clear that as pro poor party, it is totally against the installation of prepaid meters to residents. The party maintains that clean water is a basic right for every one and should be made available without any conditions such as would make it difficult for people to access.

The party's positions remain consistent with what was presented to CHRA by the secretary general mr Dauglas Mwonzora at a CHRA meeting a week ago.  We want to categorically express that the issue of water meters is  an initiation of the central government through the Zanu PF local government minister Ignatious Chombo, who ostensibly is working in cahoots with council secretariat such as the town clerks of cities.

It is regrettable that Chombo's unorthodox move has completely sidelined the MDC-T councillors and therefore is illegal. The party will do everything possible to stop this illegal project meant to disenfranchise residents of a basic right like water.

 It is unreasonable in the first place for Chombo and the secretariat at the local authorities to embark on such a costly adventure which is set to prejudice the already struggling council coffers of millions of dollars when council is struggling to provide basic services to residents and even more so when council workers have gone for months without receiving salaries.

We call upon Chombo and his local authorities' secretariat to commit what ever resource is available to providing residents with basic services, like provision of clean water and collection of refuse.  

The MDC is committed to the creation and sustenance of a local government system that enjoys the confidence of the people of Zimbabwe through its capacity to deliver quality services democratically, proactively and always mindful of its accountability to the local people.  

The MDC local authority must enjoy full protection of the law and is structured in a way that empowers the people to make decisions on local issues with supervision from central government being limited only to protection of the people's interests.

It is the MDC policy that our elected representatives must represent the interest of the people in their areas of jurisdiction and ensure delivery of quality services at local level.