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Schools Used As Quarantine Facilities Drown In Debt

Lupane State University (LSU) had its water disconnected after incurring a debt of more than $150 000 after being used as a quarantine centre. Image by LSU


BY BOKANI MUDIMBA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | OCT 21, 2020

Across the country, institutions of learning were utilised for quarantining returning residents as a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19. In Matabeleland North, huge water and electricity bills were incurred and remain uncleared, causing headaches for school administrations.


VICTORIA FALLS (The Citizen Bulletin) — Learning institutions whose premises were used as quarantine centres are being haunted by huge water and electricity bills accumulated during lockdown, a situation that could put learners at risk of COVID-19 if they get disconnected for non-payment.

In Matabeleland North, Mosi-oa-Tunya High School in Victoria Falls, Mabhikwa High School in Lupane and Lupane State University (LSU) were used as quarantine centres between April and last month when the returnees were removed to allow for reopening of schools but had already incurred huge bills.

Grade Six, Form Three and Form Five classes opened today, amid concerns that the uncleared water bills would cause challenges for school administrations.

Schools have reopened for other pupils, a few weeks after learning institutions welcomed exam sitting candidates who resumed lessons on the 28th of September. Image by Pixabay


Already LSU, with a bill of around $150 000, was disconnected by Zimbabwe National Water Authority about a week ago leaving hundreds of students without running water, a key preventive measure for coronavirus.


Water was only restored after the college authorities engaged Zinwa.

Zimbabwe effected national lockdown on March 29 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the three institutions were identified as quarantine centres in the province to receive and detain citizens returning from other countries as part of measures to contain spread of the coronavirus.

The government promised to cater for the welfare of returnees as well as service costs at the quarantine centres but has reportedly not paid for water and electricity resulting in the bills ballooning.

Mosi-oa-Tunya owes Victoria Falls council $103 000 for water and $75 000 to Zesa while Mabhikwa owes Zinwa and Zesa a combined $100 000.

The unpaid bills accumulated between April and last month.

“We got a verbal demand to clear our water bill which is close to $100 000 or risk being disconnected. This could pose a health hazard for learners,” says Themba Mhlanga, school development committee chairperson for Mabhikwa High School.

The school gets its water from Zinwa.

Authorities at Mosi-oa-Tunya who spoke on condition of anonymity say the school has approached the municipality appealing for the bill to be written-off.


“We owe council in excess of $100 000 and the bulk of the money was left by those who were on quarantine as the government has not paid anything.”
Mosi-oa-Tunya official


“They also left an electricity bill. Our fear is that we may be disconnected at a time when more classes resume and we will be left with no running water which is critical,” an official from the school says.

The government was supposed to settle the bills through the social welfare department which is responsible for the welfare of the returnees.

School authorities say they are tired of false promises from the department.


ALSO READ: COVID-19 Restrictions Derail Budget Consultations In Mat South


“They have been making promises but nothing has been paid yet. We have even stopped making follow ups and we now risk having water disconnected which will be a disaster. The bills were accrued through a Government national programme which is why we wish it could be written off if they can’t pay.”
 
Matabeleland North provincial education director Jabulani Mpofu says his office will make a follow up.

“Social welfare caters for that. We haven’t received official reports from the schools but we will be making follow up with them to assess the situation,” says Mpofu.

Matabeleland North provincial social welfare officer Macnon Chirinzepi says the matter is being handled by the social welfare head office which had already engaged the schools.

“We have been engaging them directly from Harare and what remains are some logistics for payment to be done. The challenge for them is time that this has taken,” says Chirinzepi.

In April, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Lovemore Matuke visited Victoria Falls where he said the government would take care of every need of returning citizens including their welfare and transport to their homes after discharge as well as the cost of their stay at the quarantine centres.

Currently only Encore Budget Lodge with 24 returnees and Inyathi Training Centre with six returnees are functional in Matabeleland North, all other facilities have closed because of reduction in number of returnees.


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