22 Feb 2019
Community Water Alliance has been receiving increasing reports of water meter theft from most high density suburbs in Harare.
A visit to Budiriro by Community Water Alliance staff revealed that more than 200 households have had their water meters stolen by mid-February.
Some residents have reported the cases to the local police while others have lost faith in the willingness of local police to stop this wave that has exposed water infrastructure to vandalism.
Affected residents who spoke to Community Water Alliance said the unavailability of potable water has exposed them to thieves that steal the meters. In the past, the gushing of water after meter removal made deterred thieves from this manner of vandalism.
The theft of water meters is likely to increase non-revenue water in Harare. It gravely affects the non-revenue water reduction target set by Harare Water in its 2018-2028 Strategic Plan. Theft of water meters kills financial sustainability of water services in Harare and residents are encouraged to report suspects.
Preliminary findings by Community Water Alliance revealed alleged involvement of carpenters in the business of manufacturing coffins. The brass from the water meters is allegedly used for coating of coffin handles.
We implore City of Harare officials, particularly municipal police together with Zimbabwe Republic Police to do a thorough job and get to the bottom of this matter.
#PotableWaterBy2020
#AccessToWaterIsAHumanRight
