News / Press Release
Attachment of property for perceived defaulters unjustified - CWA
24 Sep 2015 at 11:51hrs | Views
Community Water Alliance (CWA) expresses displeasure in the level of water injustice perpetrated by Local Authorities.
Local Authorities are preying on ignorance of citizens on legal matters and winning civil cases through default judgments.
An analysis by local ward committees of Community Water Alliance revealed that even citizens who had their water meters removed, had current water billings and debt that has caused loss of private property.
While it is important that citizens pay for services rendered, it is equally crucial that Local Authorities promote justice in the water sector.
Justice has to ensure that there are no arbitrary water disconnections and that where there are unjust disconnections remedies be provided.
As a response to the injustice in the water sector, Community Water Alliance has started constituting a legal coordinating unit.
The Alliance has since written to Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) for a para-legal training on the subject matter.
Residents associations are expected to be part of the training.
The Alliance highly appreciates legal services which have been rendered by ZLHR to affected citizens and members of CWA within communities.
Community Water Alliance values dialogue blazed through payment plans as a viable dispute resolution mechanism.
Local Authorities are preying on ignorance of citizens on legal matters and winning civil cases through default judgments.
An analysis by local ward committees of Community Water Alliance revealed that even citizens who had their water meters removed, had current water billings and debt that has caused loss of private property.
While it is important that citizens pay for services rendered, it is equally crucial that Local Authorities promote justice in the water sector.
Justice has to ensure that there are no arbitrary water disconnections and that where there are unjust disconnections remedies be provided.
As a response to the injustice in the water sector, Community Water Alliance has started constituting a legal coordinating unit.
The Alliance has since written to Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) for a para-legal training on the subject matter.
Residents associations are expected to be part of the training.
The Alliance highly appreciates legal services which have been rendered by ZLHR to affected citizens and members of CWA within communities.
Community Water Alliance values dialogue blazed through payment plans as a viable dispute resolution mechanism.
Source - CWA
