CHINHOYI residents are outraged by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) for arresting individuals selling water, a blitz being conducted in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). Residents argued that the regulator and the police were “insensitive” to their plight given the severe water shortages they face, with some going for months without access to clean water. Chipo Mangeya, a resident of White City, shared her frustrations.
“I have been buying water to survive, but then Zinwa comes and arrests those selling bulk water to residents. They are insensitive to our plight,” she said. Nomatter Chikwaka, a resident from Chikonohono, echoed similar sentiments.
“Zinwa should be lenient with us. Our council is failing to provide water due to financial constraints. What’s wrong with selling water from one’s borehole?” Chikwaka queried.
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Zinwa Middle Manyame Sub-Catchment regional manager Bilton Simango confirmed the arrests, emphasising that they were only targeting those selling bulk water without permits. “We are arresting only those selling bulk water without permits,” he said. “Zinwa the Middle Manyame Sub-Catchment Council and ZRP are conducting joint compliance operations to curb illegal bulk water abstraction and sale within the catchment.
“These actions are necessary to protect critical groundwater aquifers, safeguard public health and ensure that any bulk water supplied to communities is drawn from authorised sources and meets established quality standards.” He explained that those selling bulk water “should be registered so we can verify the source to prevent pollution and protect public health”. Simango urged individuals in the water business to register to avoid legal consequences, with registration costing approximately US$250 or its equivalent in ZiG per year.
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