A Hatcliffe water project run by a "Good Samaritan" Mr Tonde Mudambo Jnr has been vandalised, throwing the suburb into a water crisis.

Harare City has failed to supply the suburb with water on a sustainable basis. City water usually comes once a month towards monthend, a move residents say is meant to attract them to pay water bills.

Unknown people vandalised pipes connected to the water tanks that feed into three water points. The vandalism caused serious water shortages in the suburb yesterday as Mr Mudambo barred people from fetching water from the vandalised tanks fearing the vandals could have poisoned the water.

Mr Mudambo drilled boreholes in the suburb and reticulated the water through water points that are fitted with taps.

He said he decided to invest in the project because he was touched by the plight of women and children who had to walk long distances to get water.

A dejected Mr Mudambo on Wednesday said he wanted to empty and clean the tanks first before he could supply water to the residents again. He is also increasing night security at the water ranks.