By Our Own Correspondent, Masvingo – Frustration is mounting among Masvingo residents after the City Council mistakenly sent out water bills reflecting inflated balances, leaving many questioning the local authority’s competence and transparency.

The controversy erupted after a bulk SMS sent on 16 February 2026 appeared to show unusually high account balances. The message triggered immediate backlash, with residents accusing the council of inflating charges and mishandling public funds. Social media platforms were flooded with complaints, with many describing the incident as “careless” and “unacceptable.”

In response, the council issued Notice 29 of 2026, attributing the issue to a technical fault.
“We would like to advise that after billing on 16 February, a bulk SMS batch was generated and the program erroneously picked balances as at 31 May 2025. However, the balances in our system as well as on statements that will be distributed are correct.

Kindly disregard the message sent on 16th February 2026. The correct balance was sent through the same platform on 17th February 2026. We apologize for any inconveniences caused,” the notice read.

Despite the explanation, many residents remain unconvinced, arguing that recurring system errors erode public trust.

“How can we trust our bills if the council cannot get basic calculations right?” one resident asked. Another added, “This is not just a mistake; it’s negligence that affects everyone who pays for water.”

The incident has reignited calls for improved transparency and accountability within the Masvingo City Council, with critics warning that repeated administrative lapses could carry serious financial and reputational consequences.

Residents are now demanding independent audits and firm assurances that such errors will not happen again, underscoring growing dissatisfaction with local governance and service delivery.