Emmanuel Chitsika
Ward 10 Councillor Sengerayi Manyanga made a chilling remark during the full council meeting held at Masvingo Civic Centre on February 28, saying he had received a call from top army leadership from Four Brigade threatening to ‘unleash’ army personnel to council to resolve continued water woes.
The controversial Zanu PF politician said council’s continued water supplies through bowsers to Four Brigade compromises the security of the army barrack and hence the commander called him expressing concern towards the arrangement.
“Mayor (Collen Maboke), Alderman Maridza (Selina), I have already told you that the commander called me enquiring on the water supply arrangements to their barracks. The commander is not happy with this continued lack of supplies that has led to deliveries of water in bowsers. He went on to tell me that if the situation does not improve he would send his personnel to Town House or even the army’s engineering department to go to the water treatment plant.
“As for 4.1 Brigade, they have a borehole to assist them, what about Four Brigade which has no other alternative? Why should we as council continue to compromise the security of those people who defend the nation? What would be of their situation if someone can decide to poison the water in the bowser? Council must resolve this issue because the area is a much bigger constituency and the 7 000 people there, need water,” said Manyanga.
He went on to urge council to consider the brigade, claiming that they are the one who paid a lot of money, which in actual fact was part payment to the debt they owe council.
“Remember that these guys paid around ZW$ 24 million which we are using to buy cars, so please make sure they get enough water supplies,” he said.
Responding to the matter Maboke said council prioritizes the welfare of all its residents and would like to ensure adequate water supplies to all residents in the city.
“As council, we always want to ensure all residents get water all the time. All residents of this city are important and I am sure our engineering department will do everything they can to ensure water supply issues are rectified and restore normal supplies,” said Maboke.
However, Town Engineer Kudzaishe Mbetu promised that normal water supplies would be restored on March 1, 2022.
“As a department, we have rectified issues behind water shortages and we are sure water supplies will be back to normal tomorrow (March 1),” said Eng Mbetu.
The city has experienced water shortages for the past two to three weeks with some areas going for long with dry taps.
Perennial erratic water supplies have been one of the major challenges haunting most local authorities around the country.
