Harare City Council acting Mayor Stewart Mutizwa has urged Harare residents to drink council water for it is safe and was certified by the ISO.
In an interview with 263times today, the acting Mayor said the quality of Harare water was even tested by major universities in the country.
“The condition of the water still remains ISO certified. The tests that were done by our own gave us the assurance and also the tests done by our own universities especially the University of Zimbabwe and the Harare Institute of Technology are free to the public so that you actually get a testimony from those people who are technical.
“The water remains safe to drink.” He said.
When if he, himself drinks Harare water, the acting Mayor said, “Yes I do” adding that even though sometimes the water carry a bad odour, it is still safe to drink.
“Of course there are times when the colour or smell is bad of course that might scare you from drinking but that water remains safe.”
Asked on what the city council is doing to make sure that the water situation is improved, the acting Mayor however said the council is almost done fixing and replacing corroded old pipes that are currently polluting the water.
“What we are actually doing we have finished fixing the Warren control which is the biggest department and distribution station and we are almost 95% through with the Morton Jeffrey.” Cllr Mutizwa said.
Meanwhile, there is a general confusion around the City on which MDC party, Cllr Mutizwa belongs to. To answer the question, the acting Mayor said he belongs to the original MDC party that was founded by the late Morgan Tsvangirai and does not take sides in the current faction.
“They are both my family, I would not want to take sides, that is not necessary. I belong to the party MDC Alliance, whoever the leader is, either Chamisa or Mwonzora, the party is MDC Alliance.” He said.
Cllr Mutizwa is currently Harare City Council acting Mayor following the suspension of Mayor Jacob Mafume on allegations of corruption.
Mafume was first arrested and suspended early December last year before being released on bail but re-arrested early this year. For the second time he was suspended until he reported for duty last month upon expiry of his suspension to take over from the acting Mayor Mutizwa who refused to vacate Mafume’s office and maintains he is the rightful occupant until the Minister of local government, July Moyo sends him a letter confirming that his acting capacity was through.