By Patience Rashai

Harare Westerners and Northerners are up in arms with council over council’s failure to provide water since last Friday, with council claiming that it was due to electricity challenges at its main water treatment plant, Morton Jaffray.

In a statement intended to calm the livid residents, Harare City Council (HCC) said, “The City of Harare regrets to inform you that we are currently facing electricity challenges at Morton Jaffray since 1400hrs today (9 December). The city may face water shortages if the power is not restored early. We have since engaged our counterparts from ZESA.”

HCC’s conduct has, however, managed to naively draw a volley of criticism from residence over its hypocrisy and poor management given that other areas (Hatfield) have gone for years without water or any explanation.

“Haiwawo it's been a month tisina mvura kuMsasa and you don't engage, this means nothing to us. Msasa Park has been dry for 2 months...no drop. This Zesa, Zesa is just rubbish...matadza chete..nxa…,” said Mandizvidza Shumba.

“Doesn’t the City of Harare have a backup plan such as the use of generators, batteries and solar power at such strategic sites such as Morton Jeffrey? The Ian D Smith administration looked after these critical facilities back in the Rhodesia era. What’s going on Mr Mayor?” asked Eric.

Concurringly, Samurai Jack said, “Thanks for the heads up. However, it’s inexcusable that you don't have back up power in this day and age for such a crucial service. Get your act together or allow for capable individuals to take over.”

Equally exposing the council’s rot, Sheikh Trevor wrote, “So you don’t have alternative plans for power with all those salarygates scandals.”

Such conduct from the council exposes residents to water-borne diseases like cholera. Residents from suburbs such as Waterfalls, Sunridge, Ashdown Park, Westgate, Bluffhill, Marlborough, Goodhope, among other suburbs have been without water since last Friday.