Zanu-PF MP presses ahead with shady US$30m water deal

HELCRAW Electrical, a company linked to Zanu-PF legislator Farai Jere, has begun rolling out key components of a major water reticulation project in Harare, despite ongoing concerns over the procurement and structure of the multi-million-dollar initiative.

The rollout follows reports that Helcraw was engaged without a competitive tender process, sparking criticism from residents, civic groups, and governance watchdogs. Ward 16 councillor Denford Ngadziore and Ward 15 councillor Tafadzwa Machirori confirmed in correspondence this week that the company has commenced installing smart water meters as part of a pilot programme in parts of the capital.

"All residents are hereby invited to attend a meeting concerning the City of Harare's pilot project on the installation of smart water meters, being implemented in partnership with Helcraw (Pvt) Ltd," the councillors said in a joint notice. The meeting, they added, would include the City of Harare director of water, Richard Kunyadini, a Helcraw representative, and the district officer, with the goal of promoting transparency, addressing community concerns, and improving service delivery.

Helcraw is implementing the project in partnership with Chinese technology firm Hangzhou Laison Technology, with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works endorsing the initiative. Nevertheless, questions remain over the company's technical and financial capacity, the procurement process, and fears about potential water service privatisation.

Jere, the National Assembly legislator for Murehwa South, has denied that his political position influenced Helcraw's involvement. Initial plans projected that Helcraw would mobilise US$138 million as part of a broader US$1.5 billion public-private partnership to overhaul Harare's water infrastructure, recouping its investment through revenue from water billing. Following criticism, the company's role was scaled down to a US$30 million smart meter rollout.

The smart metering programme is aimed at improving water management, curbing revenue leakages, enhancing billing efficiency, and modernising ageing infrastructure. Sources indicate that Helcraw has already begun installing prepaid meters in suburbs including Warren Park D and Westlea, with residents purchasing water tokens from the council. However, the system currently lacks mobile purchasing capabilities comparable to prepaid electricity services offered by Zesa Holdings.

Project documents suggest that Helcraw initially planned to install meters in approximately 350,000 households at a projected cost of US$96 million. It remains unclear whether the revised programme will reach the same number of properties. Jere previously indicated that Helcraw expected to recover its investment over five to ten years through customer billing, though specific modalities remain under review. Earlier projections suggested a potential monthly household charge of US$5.50 under the initial model, which could have generated up to US$1.9 million monthly if all targeted properties were connected.

Acting town clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo referred queries to Kunyadini, who in turn directed questions to communications manager Stanley Gama, who had not responded by the time of publication. Information gathered by the Independent suggests water is currently billed at approximately US$2 per cubic metre in high-density areas and about US$5 per cubic metre in low-density suburbs.

Reuben Akili, director of the Combined Harare Residents Association, criticised the programme for being introduced without adequate public consultation, calling for greater clarity on tariffs, governance arrangements, and long-term implications for access to water.

The Helcraw smart meter rollout underscores ongoing tensions between public-private partnerships, political influence, and the need for transparent and accountable service delivery in Zimbabwe's capital.