Harare mayor Jacob Mafume has said almost all bottled water sold in Harare and other parts of the country comes from Harare City Council.
The city gets its municipal water supply from Lake Chivero and Lake Manyame, both of which are heavily polluted.
This week, several residents reported receiving very dirty water from their taps. This followed the council’s announcement last weekend that it would shut off water across the city to carry out urgent repairs and cleaning at its two main water facilities.
Acting town clerk Warren Chiwawa announced a partial shutdown at Morton Jaffray Water Works and a total shutdown at Warren Control Pump Station to allow for urgent leak repairs and reservoir cleaning.
While residents complained about dirty tap water, Mafume was pictured at a place called KwaTerry with bottled water on the table.
A commentator accused the mayor of drinking clean bottled water while residents were getting dirty water.
In response, Mafume said most, if not all, bottled water comes from city water, with bottling companies simply filtering it before selling it to the public.
“Please note most, if not all bottled water comes from Harare City Water; they just further filter it! From now on, we will require all bottled water companies to acknowledge the use of Harare Water,” said Mafume.
“All the drinks and beer you drink in Harare and beyond are Harare Water. So I was drinking Harare water in a bottle. Choose a City, I choose Harare Anyday Everyday!”
