The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Hon. Daniel Garwe, has commended the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model driving the Helcraw Water Facility in Southerton, Harare, describing it as a milestone in sustainable urban infrastructure development and a key pillar of the Second Republic’s Vision 2030 agenda.
Minister Garwe conducted an inspection tour of the facility recently, accompanied by members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government and Public Works, officials from the City of Harare, and representatives of the Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust (ZNOART).
The visit aimed to familiarize stakeholders with the PPP initiative between the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the City of Harare, and Helcraw Investments, which seeks to modernize Harare’s water supply infrastructure. The project encompasses the upgrade of the Morton Jaffray Waterworks, replacement of old water pipes, and the installation of smart water metering systems to ensure efficient, transparent, and reliable service delivery.
“This partnership demonstrates the Second Republic’s practical approach to addressing urban challenges through innovation, accountability, and inclusive development. By combining the strengths of public institutions and private investors, we are ensuring that every citizen has access to clean and consistent water, a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of local development,” said Minister Garwe.
Minister Garwe highlighted that Phase 1 of the project, which includes major works in Warren Park, is already underway, with 200km of the water network covered so far. The first phase is expected to be completed within three months.
He reiterated Government’s commitment to transforming local governance and infrastructure management through PPPs, noting that such collaborations bridge the gap between policy formulation and tangible service delivery.
“Our goal is to drive efficient and sustainable service delivery across the country. Water provision remains a national priority, and we are determined to ensure every household has access to clean water before 2030,” he added.
Minister Garwe also encouraged residents to actively support the project by maintaining proper waste disposal practices and avoiding drainage blockages, noting that the City of Harare’s 2025 budget has been opened for public comment to ensure inclusivity and accountability in service delivery.
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Maxmore Njanji, expressed satisfaction with the progress made and reaffirmed Parliament’s oversight role in ensuring transparency and value for money in the implementation of the PPP project.
“The smart metering system will enhance efficiency, accountability, and transparency in water distribution. This partnership is a benchmark that other local authorities can emulate,” Njanji said.
ZNOART Chairman, Mr. Shalvar Chikomba, applauded the collaboration, describing it as a major step toward restoring public confidence in local governance systems. He emphasized the importance of involving residents’ associations in project monitoring and feedback processes to promote community ownership and sustainability.
During the tour, engineers at the Helcraw Facility demonstrated the smart water metering technology, which allows real-time monitoring of household water consumption, minimizes leakages, and improves revenue collection. The modernization of Morton Jaffray Water Works, they explained, will significantly boost production capacity and system efficiency once complete.
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume expressed full support for the initiative, reaffirming council’s commitment to prioritizing water supply as part of the broader urban renewal drive.
The inspection visit marked a milestone in strengthening collaboration between government, Parliament, private sector partners, and residents all united in the shared mission of restoring reliable water supply and improving the quality of life in the capital city and beyond.
