Sukuoluhle Ndlovu
Masvingo – Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance, (MURRA) has taken Masvingo City Council to court over failure to provide water.
MURRA lodged the application together with Nevermine Mutamba and Musekiwa Sungano Zvarebwanashe at the High Court.
The Minister of local government, Public Works and National Housing, Minister of Health and Child Care and the Minister of Finance are the other respondents to the matter.
Failure to provide residents is a violation of the supreme law and universal declarations which Zimbabwe is signatory which state that every citizen has a right to clean and safe water.
During the lockdown period, people are being encouraged to wash their hands frequently to prevent the spread of COVID 19 but this has become difficult due to the water situation.
MCC which is the first respondent is violating the Applicants rights breaching section 77 of the Constitution.
“The 1st respondent which is MCC is ordered to continue supply of adequate, constant, clean and potable running water from browsers to the first applicant and residents at Rujeko, Mucheke River, Zimre Park, Rhodene and cleverly Masvingo.
Failure to provide water is hereby declared to be a violation of Applicants right to clean, safe and potable water as provided for under section 77a of the constitution of Zimbabwe, 2013,” as stated in the court outline.
“The 1st respondent, MCC is ordered to immediately supply adequate, constant and potable tap water during the period of national lockdown and state of disaster and as may be subsequently extended.”
According to town clerk, Edward Mukaratiwa the City Council has since engaged its lawyers and have put together their defence papers.
“The City Council remains committed to provision of excellent service delivery to its residents hence our engineers are working flat out to ensure water supplies and enable business continuity through the crisis,” he said.
