Online Reporter
Peter Matika [email protected]
A BULAWAYO resident reportedly died from acute gastro-enteritis, also known as stomach flu, after allegedly consuming contaminated borehole water during a prolonged water shedding.
The findings are contained in the latest Bulawayo City Council (BCC) health surveillance report, which linked the death to the use of borehole water after reticulated supplies were interrupted in Pumula South.
According to the report, investigations revealed that the deceased had not sought medical attention before succumbing to illness caused by severe diarrhoea and dehydration.
“Post mortem results indicated that the patient died from hypovolemic shock due to acute gastro-enteritis,” read the report.
Council health officials said a secondary case was later recorded from the same household, although the patient recovered after receiving treatment at Mpilo Central Hospital.
Laboratory investigations found contamination in borehole water samples collected from the affected area, with tests indicating the presence of non-faecal coliforms.
Health officials noted that investigations were complicated after family members refused stool sampling and contact tracing procedures.
The incident comes amid growing concern over Bulawayo’s worsening water crisis, which has forced many residents to rely on boreholes and other unsafe water sources during extended water shedding periods.
Recent council water quality monitoring reports revealed that 62 percent of sampled water points across the city were unsatisfactory for one or more safety parameters, including faecal contamination.
Several schools, clinics and public facilities were listed among affected areas, including parts of Nkulumane, Emganwini and Luveve.
The latest development is likely to worsen fears in fast-growing suburbs such as Cowdray Park, where thousands of residents have for years depended heavily on boreholes due to erratic municipal water supplies and rapid population growth.
Cowdray Park, one of Bulawayo’s largest high-density suburbs, has frequently experienced water shortages, forcing residents to queue for water at community boreholes and private wells, particularly during prolonged water shedding periods.
In some sections of the suburb, residents have repeatedly raised concerns over suspected contamination of boreholes located near overflowing sewer lines and illegal dumping sites, especially during the rainy season.
Council’s latest environmental health report also highlighted sewer overflow complaints in Emganwini and contamination fears linked to foul-smelling water in residential areas, further exposing the risks associated with ageing sewer infrastructure and increasing pressure on water systems.
The city has in recent years battled recurring diarrhoeal outbreaks, with health experts often attributing the infections to unsafe water sources, poor sanitation and intermittent water supplies.
The report stated that Bulawayo recorded 247 diarrhoea cases and one death in March alone.
Residents in western suburbs said the worsening water situation was leaving families vulnerable.
Some residents said many households had little choice but to rely on borehole water.
“Sometimes water can be off for days and people end up relying on boreholes without knowing whether the water is safe,” said Mr Bekithemba Ncube of Cowdray Park.
He urged BCC to intensify water quality testing in residential suburbs.
“Many people here use borehole water every day for drinking and cooking because council water is unreliable. There must be regular testing and awareness campaigns,” he said.
Other residents said some community boreholes in Cowdray Park were located close to blocked sewer lines.
“When there are sewer bursts people become worried, but because there is no water from taps, residents continue using the boreholes,” said another resident who declined to be named.
Council health officials have urged residents to boil or disinfect water from unverified sources before consumption and to seek immediate medical treatment when experiencing symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration.
