Harare City Council’s water crisis has taken a darker turn with allegations of financial mismanagement and potential corruption involving Nanotech Water Solutions, the council’s controversial water treatment chemicals supplier.
The company stands accused of prejudicing the local authority of US$816,000 which was allocated by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
Nanotech was allocated US$1,1 million but only acquitted US$252 000 leaving a US$816 000 deficit.
The Local Government Ministry has been demanding acquittals for the unaccounted US$816 000 since last October, but Nanotech Water Solutions has failed to provide them.
On October 2, 2023, the line addressed a letter to Harare Town Clerk Hosiah Chisango, citing the need for prompt acquittals within four days of receiving correspondence.
In the first quarter of 2023, the Harare City Council initiated a project to produce chlorine dioxide on-site at Morton Jaffray Water Treatment plant.
This initiative aimed to harness chlorine dioxide’s potent disinfectant properties for sustainable potable water production, ensuring a safer water supply for residents.
“To that effect, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe disbursed US$1 100 000 in December 2022 to cover mobilisation, installation of equipment, supply, delivery and dosing of precursor chemicals for the 1st Phase of the project.
“This project is earmarked for funding under the Devolution portfolio and in this regard, the Ministry is requesting acquittals on how these funds were utilised.
“The submission of these documents should be no later than Friday 6 October 2023,” read parts of the letter.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is now investigating allegations of public funds misuse regarding Nanotech.
This development comes as Harare faces severe water shortages, worsened by the decommissioning of the Prince Edward water treatment plant.
The city’s water crisis has been exacerbated by a costly water treatment method, incurring almost US$3 million monthly for treatment and power.
Residents and stakeholders have, on several occasions, strongly criticised HCC’s perceived inaction, warning of potential cholera and typhoid outbreaks if urgent measures aren’t taken.
Nanotech allegedly violated multiple laws, including the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act, Urban Councils Act, and exchange control regulations.
Specifically, the company failed to acquit receipts, fulfill contract obligations, and follow proper procurement procedures.
In response, HCC’s environmental management committee terminated Nanotech’s contract in July 2024. The audit committee then recommended referring the matter to ZACC for further investigation.
Allegations of corruption at Harare City Council have prompted President Emmerson Mnangagwa to set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the city’s operations since 2017.
The ongoing inquiry, which is chaired by Justice Maphios Cheda, has since interviewed several Harare City officials including councillors.
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