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Sifundiso Ndlovu Chronicle Reporter
RESIDENTS in some of Bulawayo’s eastern suburbs have gone without water for the past five days amid revelations that the city’s water committee had failed to meet so far this year.The affected areas include Mahatshula, Queenspark and Kingsdale.
Mahatshula resident Catherine Choga who stays with 13 orphans said the water disruptions started on Friday last week forcing them to buy water from nearby farms.
“We last had water on Friday. My body is aching from fetching water. This problem should be rectified soon. I stay with 13 children. How am I supposed to survive without water?” she said. Another resident Stephen Mathe said normally water disruptions were caused by burst pipes.
“There are water pipes in Mahatshula North which regularly break down. I suspect they are the cause of us staying this long without water. Staying this long without water is unhygienic,” said Mathe.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents’ Association advocacy and programmes officer, Emmanuel Ndlovu said council was taking residents for granted.
“Council must communicate with residents. We all know that faults can happen. Residents must be informed. The silence means council is taking residents for granted,” he said.
He said that the water committee which is made up of council, residents, the business community and local government officials and is tasked with addressing water challenges facing Bulawayo had not met this year.
“The city water committee is a platform for us as residents to contribute constructively on the management of the scarce water resources. We last met last year which is not ideal. Even in a good season we should continue to meet,” said Ndlovu.
Bulawayo City Council spokesperson Nesisa Mpofu had, by the time of going to Press, not responded to written questions sent to her.
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