In a letter dated 25 February 2019, Community Water Alliance (CWA) sought an explanation from the Ministry of Finance & Economic Development on the invitation for bidding for consultancy services to the Kunzvi-Musami-Harare Water Supply flirted by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement in the Sunday Mail of 24 February 2019.
Section 300(3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe obliges the Minister responsible for finance to cause the terms of any loan agreement or guarantee to be published in the Gazette within sixty days.
The way the US$144 million China Exim Bank loan was administered has compelled Community Water Alliance acting on the interests of its membership and the public, to seek clarification of the Kunzvi-Musami-Harare Water Supply project. The China Exim Bank loan which was meant to cater for rehabilitation of Morton Jaffray, was secured by the Ministry of Finance in 2009.
CWA expects the Minister of Finance to avail this information in the interests of public accountability as provided for under Section 62(1) & (2) and exercise or protection of the human right to water provided for under Section 77(a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The Constitution of Zimbabwe give the foundation to basic values and principles governing public administration and Community Water Alliance expects that the Ministry of Finance abide by Section 194 of the Constitution.
Community Water Alliance has copies the Ministry of Lands and Water; Ministry of Local Government; Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission; Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Parliament of Zimbabwe. It is our expectations that Parliament of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission will play an oversight role on this issue. Should these two institutions delay in their interventions, the Alliance will seek legal recourse in our attempt to bring justice and accountability in the water sector.
Source: Community Water Alliance
