MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU-Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) programs manager, Fadzai Kanyai has bemoaned council’s reconnection fees which they said fuel corruption.
City of Gweru charges US$58 for water reconnection but it turning out to be a golden opportunity for meter readers as they get bribes which are far much less than the reconnection fee.
According to some residents it only costs US$5 to get reconnected for any amount owed to the city of progress.
In an interview with The Midweek Watch, Kanyai said the reconnection fee is not benefiting the local authority but instead the assistant clerks (meter readers) who are lining their pockets.
“The reconnection fee charged by council is too exorbitant and it is aiding corruption as the residents are now opting to bribe the meter readers with US$5 to avoid being disconnected. Council needs to revisit the figures and reconsider the penalties as it is being prejudiced through collusion between residents and meter readers,” said Kanyai.
She said the local authority needs to curb the problem by improving it’s internal monitoring and control mechanisms.
However, the local authority’s Accountant, Moses Moyo said the reconnection fee can not be changed as “it is part of the approved budget”.
He discouraged residents from paying bribes to meter readers as this was against the law.
The issue of corruption in council’s rank and file comes at a time when one of the clerical assistants (meter reader) was dragged to court for criminal abuse of office after he allegedly solicited for US$50 bribe from a resident in return of lowering meter readings.
Tafadzwa Mukwazhe will appear in court for continuation of trial on June 22.
Mukwazhe was allegedly approached Memory Marangarire of Ascot infill in August 2022 and offered to temper and adjust her water meter so that it would read lower figures than actual.
He then demanded US$50 for the unlawful service, but lost his luck after he was trapped and arrested by Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
