Harare — HARARE City Council yesterday disconnected water supplies at Harare Central Hospital and Harare Central Prison over unpaid water bills.

Harare Hospital, a major referral hospital in the country, had been battling to pay its bills in the past few months as it had run out of funds.

Council workers disconnected water supplies to the entire hospital despite appeals by senior hospital officials that such a move would virtually disrupt operations at the hospital.

The hospital*s medical superintendent, Mr Chris Tapfumaneyi said the hospital was owing council $800 million, but had paid $600 million on Monday, leaving a balance of $200 million.

"We had assured them that they will have the rest of the money on Monday since we have received another $4 billion to pay our bills from the Government, but I guess they disregarded our plight," Mr Tapfumaneyi said.

Mr Tapfumaneyi said the hospital could not operate without water.

He said he was convinced there was someone within council who was up to something "not proper".

"This is pure sabotage of a Government institution, whoever gave orders to disconnect water has a hidden agenda."

Council also disconnected water supplies to Harare Central Prison complex, which comprises remand prison and prison for convicted inmates in a move, which is likely to pose a serious health hazard to inmates and residents at the complex.

Council disconnected the water supplies over an undisclosed amount it is owed in unpaid water bills.

But prison officials said they made an undertaking to pay the outstanding amount in full today , which was ignored by the local authority.

Deputy public relations officer, Principal Prison Officer Simbarashe Mudzviti said the decision by council to disconnect water to the complex was likely to cause a major disease outbreak among inmates and residents.

"Water is a necessity and the implications of the water cuts are too ghastly to contemplate as tomorrow (today) our prison inmates would want to bath before they go to the courts and they would also need to eat.

"How are we going to prepare their food under such circumstances," said PPO Mudzviti. He appealed to the local authority to reconnect water supplies while the issue of payment was being sorted out.

Harare public relations manager Mr Leslie Gwindi said council was intensifying revenue collection and would stop at nothing in recovering what was due to council.

Mr Gwindi brushed off allegations that some council officials had hidden agendas.

"I don*t respond to allegations that some people within council harboured hidden agendas, but the issue here is whether they owe us or not. If they owe us then they have to pay. It*s as simple as that.

"Council has to collect what it is owed if service delivery is to improve. How are going to bring water to the people if we cannot get revenue," he said.