THERE are fears among stakeholders in Bulawayo that the municipality intends to privatise water management services via the back door.
Reports indicate that the municipality has engaged Vitens Evides International (VEI), a Dutch water utility company, to manage the city’s water and sanitation services.
Critics have raised fears that council will eventually hand over water management to the private firm in much the same way it did with vehicle parking to Tendy Three Investments.
Council also privatised the Egodini rank under a build, operate and transfer facility.
In 2015, council awarded Terracotta Trading Limited (TTPL) a US$60 million tender to construct Egodini mall.
To date, the mall has not been constructed, save for the much-touted bus terminus.
Yesterday, council engineer Robson Manatsa was at pains to explain the local authority’s plan to privatise water services.
Manatsa, instead, said council intended to hand over water management services to VEI Waterworks Project, which he claimed was a standalone council firm.
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He, however, said council would partner the Dutch company.
“Zimbabwe is isolated in terms of adopting water utility projects. There won’t be any privatisation of water,” Manatsa said.
“It is solely owned by council and residents will be able to question councillors who will, in turn, question the local authority on its transparency.”
On Wednesday, the Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights and the Bulawayo Water Assembly held a water financing indaba demanding clarifications on the matter.
“Funds will be set aside strictly for the purpose of maintaining and improving water infrastructure and water sources instead of council ring-fencing funds meant for water infrastructure and use it to cover other areas of council that need attention,” Manatsa added.
Researcher Silas Silaigwana said council had to be transparent on the matter.
“People are afraid that the entity will end up being privatised,” Silaigwana said.
“The sustainability of the project will only be promoted by engaging residents and stakeholders. There is a void in access to information.
“Hence, if the local authority has nothing to hide, we should consult people and be transparent about it.”
Bulawayo is in the midst of its worst water crisis in years, with residents going for several days without the precious liquid.
