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By Mellisa Gombe
The water crisis in the country has reached alarming levels with Government claiming that it is stepping up efforts to solve the problem that has hit Zimbabwe over the past years.
Harare and Bulawayo, the country’s biggest cities are on the forefront with regards to water shortages, a situation that points out to a potential health disaster if not averted in time.
Speaking during yesterday’s post cabinet briefing, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said government had so far drilled 45 boreholes, rehabilitated over 500 boreholes and 12 piped water schemes have been upgraded countrywide.
“Regarding the provision of water, 45 new boreholes were drilled and 587 rehabilitated under Government’s routine borehole drilling programme.
“A total of 12 piped water schemes have been rehabilitated since January 2021.”
She further stated that a lasting solution was being considered to deal with the Harare and Bulawayo situation which raised concern from UNICEF.
“Government is looking into the Harare and Bulawayo water situation in conjunction with the relevant stakeholders.”
In a report, the United Nations (UN) agency stated that it had procured emergency supplies “in preparation for sporadic outbreaks of diarrheal diseases, cholera and typhoid that may occur particularly in Bulawayo and Harare provinces.”
“UNICEF is supporting refresher training and simulation exercises for Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) on cholera, typhoid and other diarrheal diseases targeting 26 cholera hotspots. Sporadic typhoid fever cases have been reported in the country this year, mostly emanating from Glenview suburb in Harare. A total of 26 suspected typhoid cases were reported in February and March 2021, cumulatively 38 cases,” said UNICEF.
Harare and Bulawayo have been experiencing the shortage of water which often goes for days without treatment leading residents to rely on boreholes and other risky sources.
In areas such as Chitungwiza, Glen View and high density suburbs in Bulawayo, residents spend long hours queuing for the precious commodity at community boreholes.
This has created touts who often sell the water to desperate residents and some who take advantage of the situation and use the commodity to sexually prey on desperate women.
The situation has destructed a lot of people’s social lives as they waste productive time waiting in the queues at various water points.
Melody Kazingizi from Chitungwiza told Nhau that they now fear for the worst as violence often erupts at the water sources.
“The shortage of water has forced us to wait for water for almost four to five hours a day in the queues and violence frequently erupts when the queues are too long.” Nhau/Indaba
