Harare — Harare City Council has defied Government's directive not to disconnect water supplies to residents in high-density areas that failed to settle bills on time.

Government argues that denying residents' water promotes the resurgence of the deadly cholera disease and the use of unprotected wells. Water Resources Development and Management Minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo on Saturday ordered the council to stop disconnecting water to allow residents to enjoy the festive season.

In an interview yesterday Harare City Council spokesperson Mr Leslie Gwindi, confirmed that the exercise was going ahead and was targeting most western suburbs.

"We are disconnecting the water because we want better service delivery and that is what we want to provide. We have done this before and we do not want a situation that would undermine the capacity of the council. People need treated water and for us to offer them the water, they must fully settle their bills," he said.

"People must not expect magic from us but must rather complement our efforts for the development of the city and the nation," said Mr Gwindi.

Council over the weekend warned it was disconnecting water supplies beginning yesterday. Areas to be disconnected included Mbare, Highfield, Mufakose, Glen Norah, Glen View and Dzivaresekwa. The disconnection by the city council comes at a time many people were preparing for the festive season, which starts this Friday. There are fears that water cuts could also lead to another cholera outbreak, which left over 4 000 people dead early this year.

However, Minister Nkomo on Saturday promised the residents that officials from his ministry would soon meet the city fathers with a view to reversing the decision.

"We will engage the mayor and the Harare City Council over the matter because our position as Government remains the same. The city council should not cut off water but must find other means of addressing the situation," he said.

Residents in various suburbs yesterday were irked by the council's decision, saying that the city fathers should improve its service delivery before they could compliment them.

"We spent most days of the week without water and I do not know what they want to disconnect. They first have to offer us a deserving service delivery considering what they charge us and we will in turn compliment their efforts wholeheartedly," said Mr Moses Makoni of Highfield.

Other residents pleaded with the council to stop the disconnection at least for the festive season.

"They must leave the people enjoy the festive season without disturbances. Imagine someone carrying a bucket of water on Christmas day, what does that mean," asked one Glen View resident only identified as Mai Taku.