The town of Redcliff has been without water for nearly a week now after the two local authorities clashed over the debt.

This comes as Kwekwe is still battling to recover over $10 million owed by Zisco for water supplies to the Redcliff community before the two local authorities agreed to directly deal with each other without involving a third party.

Redcliff finance committee chairman, Clayton Masiyatsva said relations between the two local authorities has been strained over the water cuts and accused Kwekwe City council of trying to arm-twist Redcliff into making payment.

Masiyatsva claimed Kwekwe municipality blamed the water shortages on a breakdown at its pump station and shortage of water treatment chemicals, which both required US$174 000.

“They want to arm-twist us into paying and are hiding behind the finger by saying pumps are down, we know they cut us off and now they want us to pay nearly US$200 000 so that they can reconnect us,” he said.

Kwekwe finance committee chairperson, Janet Ticharunga yesterday insisted that Redcliff municipality had reneged on its pledge to pay for water usage.

“Redcliff Municipality are now backtracking on the agreement that they be billed directly arguing that council should instead bill Ziscosteel. In view of these developments action should be taken against Redcliff such as disconnecting water supplies,” she said. By Blessed Matenga. source-newsday.