Talent Gore
AT least 330 households at Gracelands Housing Cooperative in Warren Park risk being disconnected from water supplies after the City of Harare found out they have an outstanding debt of more than US$40 000.
Harare Water Director, Engineer Mabhena Moyo, wrote to the housing cooperative this month informing them that the money they had paid towards clearing their debt was not enough to avert disconnection of water.
The cooperative paid $11 375 000 (US$2 033,80 as per bank rate) against its debt of US$40 071,76.
“We have received your payment of $11 375 00,00 worth US$2 033,80 as per bank rate of October 9, 2023 to avert disconnection of supplies,” Eng Moyo said.
“Kindly note that this is far too short of your consumption charges for the period June 2023 to September 2023 of US$40 071,76 for your bulk metre.
“We are informed that the cooperative is made up of 330 households currently enjoying the consumption of water.”
He said Council recommends that each beneficiary of the housing cooperative must make more payments towards clearing the debt.
“We are encouraging each beneficiary to come forward at Harare Water Old Mutual House (corner Speke/Second Street) offices and make individual payments towards the bill proportionally within 72 hours of receiving this notification,” Eng Moyo said.
“Failure to do so will result in disconnection of supplies without further notice.
“At Harare Water, each beneficiary is going to be interviewed in order to be levied in accordance to household use.”
The case exposes how Council is losing revenue to non-paying residents who are enjoying services for free.