HARARE - The University of Zimbabwe is in a water paradox. It has failed to re-open for the new semester because of water shortages.

Yet, Harare mayor Muchadei Masunda accuses the UZ of being one of the biggest wasteful users of water.

Addressing the latest full council meeting, Masunda said despite the institution being closed for vacation, its consumption had increased from one mega litre to 2,5 mega litres.

“UZ has to sort this out through its department of water works so that they reduce consumption,” he said.
Council noted that most of the water was being lost through leakages.

The UZ was supposed to open on August 27 for its first semester but moved the opening to September 10.

Masunda said that council was committed to improving water supply at the institution by constructing a pipe from Emerald Hill which will cost $380 000.

But the university has to clear a $2,7 million debt it owes to the local authorities.

Finance minister Tendai Biti earlier said Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai had instructed Water minister Sam Nkomo to avail the budgetary requirements so that the water crisis would be solved timeously.

The university has been facing perennial water woes prompting it to delay the opening of the new semester.
 
Up until last year, UZ had closed its halls of residents for three years due to the rehabilitation and construction of water reservoirs which were to serve students. This development left thousands of students desperate for accommodation.

The university officials were recently reported saying they were making efforts to ensure adequate water supplies would be available by the new proposed date of opening.