Blantyre City Council is in cold war with Blantyre Market barbershop owners over the decision by the council to disconnect water supply to all the six barbershops at the market.

Speaking in an interview,the spokesperson for the barbers Robert Sauteni expressed shock against the move taken by the council, saying the situation has left them operating their businesses without water which puts their lives at risk.

On his part, BCC Director of Commerce and Industry, Denis Chinseu said the council disconnected the water supply due to skyrocketing water bills which the council was paying.

“The Council collects an average revenue of K700,000 per month from Blantyre Market but water bills alone average K1,100,000 per month. In all fairness we could not sustain the operations for the market with such a scenario.

“Like most tenancy arrangements, water and electricity are supposed to be paid for by the tenant. All along, Blantyre City Council has been paying the water bills on behalf of its tenants, an anomaly that had to be rectified,” he said.

Chinseu said last year the Council proposed an increase in the rentals for the barbershops to cater for the rising water bills.

Meanwhile Sauteni has said the barbers are willing to be paying their water bills.