A Bulawayo-based water rights activist has petitioned the government to reverse a directive to privatise water services in urban areas, warning that the move could deepen Zimbabwe’s water crisis and endanger millions of residents.
Voices for Water coordinator Khumbulani Maphosa said the decision, announced in January 2025 by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, was unconstitutional as it was made without public consultation or parliamentary oversight.
“The directive has been issued without any consultation with citizens or local authorities and bypasses public procurement regulations by utilising the ‘unsolicited bids’ system,” Maphosa said.
“This lack of transparency and absence of accountability undermines the very constitutional provisions that protect our rights as citizens.”
In his petition, Maphosa said the ministry’s directive mandates the full privatisation of water services across all cities and towns without enabling legislation or evidence that private management would improve delivery.
“This directive to shift water decision-making and investments away from public agencies will leave millions of low-income residents extremely vulnerable, unserved, and less resilient,” he warned.
Maphosa said privatisation could cripple communities already struggling with erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and climate change.
“Water is not just a commodity, it is an essential resource for our survival and climate resilience,” he said. “The current free public access to water must be preserved and improved upon.”
He called on the government to immediately halt the privatisation process and instead begin broad consultations with affected communities and key stakeholders on how to strengthen public water systems.
“Government must initiate open and inclusive consultations on how public water management must be enhanced,” Maphosa said. “This arbitrary privatisation process must stop to protect the fundamental rights of Zimbabwe’s residents to access safe, secure, and publicly managed water.”
Support CITE’s fearless, independent journalism. Your donation helps us amplify community voices, fight misinformation, and hold power to account. Help keep the truth alive. Donate today
Leave a comment