RETHINKING WATER SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM IN ZIMBABWE: A CASE STUDY OF KWEKWE MUNICIPALITY BY WISEMAN MUPINDU 200706072 A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF COMMERCE AND MANAGEMENT IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR R. THAKATHI 2010 Declaration I, Wiseman Mupindu, solemnly declare that this study is my original work and has not been derived from, or submitted to, any other organization prior to submission to the University of Fort Hare. I further declare that due care has been taken to acknowledge sources in order to avoid infringing on the intellectual property of those cited, overtly or covertly, in this study. All sketches, figures and tables were drawn by the researcher save where it is acknowledged that another is the author. Any interpretation and representation of information contained in this study rests with the author. 13 April 2011 Signature date i Abstract This study examines the perceived scarcity of household water service delivery in the city of Kwekwe under the Midlands province of Zimbabwe. Kwekwe Municipality appears to be characterized by an erratic supply of clean water for household use. The city of Kwekwe has experienced an unreliable domestic water service delivery system since the beginning of this millennium. This study aims to investigate the causes of the problem, its extent, impact and what could be done to mitigate the problem. The study employs interviews, questionnaires, observations and document analyses to establish that population growth, ageing equipment, a lack of foreign currency and local funding, as well as a lack of expertise and of political will have contributed to the poor domestic water supply in the city of Kwekwe. The city of Kwekwe needs to commit itself to improving the current situation by involving the community, constructing more storage facilities, and by putting monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in place. The research design took the form of a case study of Kwekwe Municipality. A mixture of qualitative and quantitative research designs were used in this study. The qualitative/interpretivist approach was more dominant, allowing some overlapping with the quantitative/positivist paradigm whenever this was considered reasonable. The study sample consisted of a conveniently assembled sample of 120 respondents. The target population for the study comprised of 110 residents of Kwekwe urban and 10 Kwekwe City Municipality Water Authorities from the Works Department. This study focuses on the 4 residential areas of Kwekwe Municipality. The data collection instruments include questionnaires and focus group interviews. Electronically recorded, in-depth interviews were held with the water authorities and the consumers to establish their perceptions on the best practice of the ii water service delivery system in Zimbabwe. The data collection tools contained a preliminary section on the biological data of the respondents. All data was subjected to either qualitative or quantitative analysis techniques in order to strike a balance between the structured survey instruments and the anecdotes of the respondents. Quantitative data was analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while qualitative data was subjected to document analysis which entailed classifying the data, extracting themes, identifying patterns, tallying and quantifying responses and making generalizations out of these patterns. This implies that the research methodology focused on the method, tools and techniques used to assist in achieving the objectives of the study and answering the research questions that the research seeks to address. The term research methodology is used, in this study, to refer to the philosophical assumptions, values, and theories which inform and underpin the way in which a particular research method is used. In this study, the case study research design was used as the operational framework for data gathering. The case study research method is essentially grounded in the interpretive research paradigm. To this end, the study sought the perceptions of both the consumers and the water authorities. The major finding of the study is that the ability of Kwekwe Municipality to provide household water service delivery to its consumers is slightly below average. However, there was a slight improvement in the household water service delivery but consumers are still remaining dissatisfied. Another finding, related to this one, was that the electricity deficiency cost the efficacy of Kwekwe Municipality in its provision of household water service delivery. The study proposes that more studies which seek to interrogate the domestic water service delivery system of the Zimbabwean Municipalities should be embarked upon by iii the state. The study also recommends that service delivery training programmes be implemented in order to enhance the competence of the water authorities. Furthermore, the study suggests that consumers be placed at the center of household water debates when policies, rules and regulations of the water service delivery system are formulated. Finally, the study implores that municipalities need to have their own reserves and generators for emergency cases during electricity power cuts. It is imperative that the water reservoirs constantly hold 4 days‟ worth of water capacity. The municipality of Kwekwe must refurbish the entire water reticulation system. Municipalities must carry out an audit of water meter readings and also confirm that all water meters are functional. Manpower to read the correct meter reading should be increased in number and must have reliable transport. iv Acknowledgements GLORY TO GOD - AMEN First and foremost I want to proudly thank the Almighty God for shepherding me and giving me the wisdom to complete this study. Naturally, I am tempted to appreciate God‟s grace upon me using my mother‟s tongue. “Pazvirevo zvenyu Mwari, ini ndinowana njere.,”. Thank you Almighty God for caring and protecting me during my stay in South Africa. It was through His grace that l was allocated a caring, thoughtful and able esteemed supervisor and promoter; Professor Reckson Thakhathi. Prof. Thakhathi skillfully nurtured and sharpened my intellectual skills, by modeling high expectations for me and allowing me the space to manoeuvre and making the appropriate interventions when the need arose. He took on my challenges as if they were his challenges and my success as if it was his success. He was instrumental in the progress of this study from its inception to its conclusion. His verbal and written comments concerning this study were apt and incisive. His consistent encouragement, professional etiquette and genuine concern for my academic welfare and progress shall remain eternally embedded in my modest mind and consigned to posterity. I will forever cherish his invaluable contribution to my success. May God richly reward him several folds so that he can continue to guide the current generation into the vocation of academia. For the generous financial support, the Zimbabwe Presidential Scholarship, courtesy of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe, I thank the Executive Director of this scholarship Honorable Minister Chris Mushohwe. The scholarship made my academic and social stay a reality. Thank you for sustaining me throughout my studies on such a prestigious scholarship. Completing this study was a legitimate nightmare, which, without the assistance of others, was bound to be relegated to doom. It would be unfair and insincere to omit to mention the names of various individuals who contributed immensely to the evolution of v this study. In this regard, it must be noted that scholarly work is not possible without the academic assistance from relevant authorities and moral support from various groups and individuals. I therefore wish to express my deep gratitude and appreciation to the following people, without whom this study could not have been possible. The following library staff members are worth mentioning: Moyo Matthew and Bokwe Pyreen for their guidance on the use of online database resources; Howard Pim Library staff, Phillip and Tobela; front desk library staff; Madikane Nomzingisi, Jekwa Sipho, Hlakanyana Sandile, Songwiqi Phindile, Mbongisa Ndzima, Kembe Malusi, Bill Xolisile and Ntsendwana Buyisile for their excellent service to make this study a success. Guys. You rock. Obtaining data on official didactic practices in Zimbabwe can be a hassle, but I found this to be a fairly routine exercise. The residents of Kwekwe urban and the water authorities from Kwekwe Municipality who responded to my instruments contributed greatly to the success of this study. Without their consent and cooperation, the study could have remained an illusion. Research ethics proscribe me from citing them by their names in this study. Nevertheless, I hasten to say that their assistance shall always be cherished. I would like to extend a special thanks to the Town Clerk of Kwekwe Municipality, the secretary to the Town Clerk, the Director of Works, the Deputy Director of Works, the Engineers, the Finance Officer and the Human Resource Management for granting official acquiescence to conducting the study in the city of Kwekwe. I also want to record my appreciation of the academic impetus provided by my uncle Gift Chatora and a friend Matthew Marara. They went beyond the call of „clan duty‟ to ensure the sustenance of my academic spirit and social