Water rights advocate Khumbulani Maphosa has urged the Zimbabwean government to abandon plans to privatise water services and increase public investment in infrastructure to ensure access to safe and affordable water.
The water privatisation directive was announced by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe in 2025. It has faced opposition from various stakeholders, who warn that the move could worsen water poverty.
In a policy analysis titled Unmasking the Fallacy of Neoliberal Water Privatisation Promise, Maphosa argues that private sector involvement and long-term public-private partnerships are not reliable solutions to water shortages and deteriorating infrastructure.
His recommendations follow a meeting convened by the Our Water Our Rights Coalition to mark Africa Water Week of Action. The meeting brought together water rights activists from across the continent.
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“Privatisation can concentrate decision-making in central government and corporate offices, weaken local authorities and shift the financial burden of infrastructure failures onto consumers,” Maphosa said.
He called on the government to prioritise direct public funding for water utilities rather than relying on private investment, which he warned could expose the country to long-term financial liabilities.
Maphosa also urged the government to align water policies with Section 77 of the Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to safe, clean and potable water.
He warned against pricing models that prioritise full cost recovery and market-driven tariffs at the expense of low-income households.
Maphosa further called on urban local authorities to protect their administrative and operational autonomy by resisting agreements that transfer control of municipal water infrastructure and revenue to private companies.
“Councils are encouraged to invest in training, equipment and the retention of public sector engineers and technicians, while rejecting long-term profit-sharing contracts that could leave municipalities responsible for service delivery failures without adequate control over operations,” he said.
The analysis recommends transparent public works programmes and community-led maintenance to address water losses caused by leaks, burst pipes and other infrastructure problems.
Maphosa also called for dialogue among stakeholders on ways to improve the efficiency of public water utilities without surrendering public ownership.
He urged civil society organisations and trade unions to mobilise communities against the commercialisation of water, monitor private utility contracts and expose hidden charges, tariff increases and infrastructure deficiencies.
“Civil society organisations and trade unions should consider public interest litigation using Section 77 of the Constitution, while providing legal and political support to water utility workers facing intimidation,” he said.
Maphosa said Zimbabwe should also draw lessons from African countries that had abandoned private water management arrangements as it considers how best to finance and manage urban water services.
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