Chronicle Editor
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
DETE residents in Hwange District have appealed for Government intervention to resolve the perennial water crisis, which has seen families going for weeks without running water.
The situation is so dire that schools are considering closing while some businesses have already suspended operations for fear of a potential health hazard.
“The situation here is very bad as we have gone for more than three weeks without water,” said Ms Sihle Mpala from Mtuya suburb. She appealed to authorities to urgently address the problem before an outbreak of water-borne diseases like cholera.
“People are now using the bush to relieve themselves as there is no water to flush the toilets,” said Ms Mpala. She said if the solution is drilling boreholes, then that should be done urgently before the situation gets out of control.
Some residents said they were now forced to walk long distances to nearby lodges, NRZ offices and Dete Ceramics to access water.
“We are in serious trouble as we have been without water for the past three weeks forcing us to walk long distances to fetch water. The closest borehole belonging to Dete Ceramics is now overwhelmed as most residents are getting water from there,” said Ms Zondiwe Mathe.
Hwange Rural District Council ward 18 Councillor, Stanley Torima, said the water crisis was a serious threat to residents’ health.
“There is no water because Zinwa claims that there is no power to pump the water. The situation is so bad that some restaurants and beer outlets have closed,” said Clr Torima.
He challenged tourism players operating in the area to donate towards solarised community boreholes project saying this will go a long way in addressing the water crisis.
Clr Torima said local schools might be forced to close if the situation is not addressed urgently.
“The situation poses a health risk to residents and is worse for schoolchildren. We have been having this problem for a long time and there is therefore an urgent need to find a solution,” he said.
Clr Torima said schools and clinics cannot operate without water hence the need to urgently address the problem.
“Teachers are spending most of their time in search of water thereby disadvantaging learners. The permanent solution is to drill boreholes and these boreholes should be solar-powered,” he said.
Zinwa corporate communications and marketing manager, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga, had not responded to questions sent to her at the time of publishing.
Online Reporter