The Upper Manyame Sub-Catchment Council 22nd Annual General Meeting that was held on the 15th of February saw Cde. Stalin Mau Mau retaining his seat as Board Chairman.
The meeting began with presentations from the Chairman and the Board Treasurer.
The Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Wensley Muchineri gave the presentation on behalf of the Chairman.
The following points emanated from the report:
- The Council’s main focus in the year 2022 was to account for groundwater and surface water. This was done through water use registration and flow meter readings collection.
- From the findings, it was found that 44500ML per annum is unaccounted for groundwater. The bulk of this groundwater is abstracted in high-density suburbs and informal settlements that mostly use shallow wells.
- The majority of the streams in the Upper Manyame Sub-Catchment were polluted because they pass through the major urban areas which are Chitungwiza and Harare.
- In the 2021/22 rainfall season, all dams in the Sub-Catchment managed to fill to full capacity.
- 440 inspections were done during the monitoring exercises and research showed that the beverage sector abstracted the highest volumes of groundwater in the year 2022.
- Upper Manyame Sub-Catchment Council received and processed a total of 1446 applications where domestic water use accounted for 87% of the applications received.
- Upper Manyame Sub-Catchment Council committed to undertaking Water, Sanitation, and Health projects by donating five boreholes to vulnerable communities Chihota, Hatcliffe, and to schools namely Lord Malvern High School and Hatfield Primary School.
- Bulk water theft is one of the prevalent illegal activities in the Upper Manyame Sub-Catchment. Chitungwiza, Ruwa, Norton, Southerton, and Tynwald were identified to be the hotspots for bulk water theft in UMSC.
The Board treasurer also presented his report as follows:
- The Council managed to remain afloat with its expenditure relatively lower than the income
- 49 % of the Council’s revenue came from institutions, followed by bulk water clients who contributed 24% of the revenue. The rest of the revenue was from penalty fees, urban customers, local board, and agreement water.
- The Council has credit controllers who collect revenue from institutions and farmers.
Following the presentation of the reports, the report was adopted by the members present.
The 2022 Council Board was dissolved thereafter and Mr. Manase Ruzengwe, the representative from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, was the presiding officer of the Board elections.
Councillor Gerry Mayahle, Councillor Prince Kandawasvika, and Councillor Tonderai Mushita had completed their term of office in 2022.
Nesbert Bako, Tendai Manyenga, and Mudadirwa Kashesha were nominated to be a part of the Upper Manyame Sub-Catchment Council for the term beginning 2023 and ending 2025.
Cde. Stalin Mau Mau was elected the Board Chairperson, Councillor Onisimo Nhemwa was elected Vice Board Chairman, and Councillor Jewel Muzenda and Councillor Henrietta Mutsambi retained their positions as Board Treasurer and Board Secretary respectively.
In his first remarks as 2023 Board Chairman, Cde. Mau Mau thanked the Councilors for extending his tenure in office.
“I would like to thank you for giving me another opportunity to lead you as a board, let us be united in making Upper Manyame Sub-Catchment Council great,” he said.