adminWalter Mswazie in Masvingo
MASVINGO residents are sitting on a serious health time bomb following revelations that the city’s water storage tanks in Target Kopje Hills, south of the city are not protected.
The issue was raised by councillors during a full council meeting last week, who then suggested that there be security personnel assigned to protect the storage tanks, as matter of urgency.
The councillors raised concern over the laxity demonstrated by the local authority on critical matters that affected residents’ lives.
Ward 8 Councillor Against Chiteme said it was disturbing that council was not taking security around the water storage tanks seriously.
“We are concerned with the way the issue of security at the water storage tanks at Target Kopje Hill is being ignored by council,” said Cllr Chiteme.
“I think we are prioritising the wrong areas as council. I feel that our health should take precedence and thus we are supposed to give priority to the security of our water storage tanks.
“We should assign two armed municipal police officers there, in case there may be mischievous people who are up to no good.”
Speaking at the same meeting, Ward 6 Councillor Wellington Mahwende, who is also deputy mayor, underscored the need for council to prioritise critical areas when deploying security personnel.
“I think we should give priority to areas that matter,” he said. “Water is life and we cannot do without it. “Apart from the need to secure our water storage tanks, we are grappling with the issue of menacing illegal mining activities around the same place.
“We will wake up one day without water after the illegal miners have destroyed the infrastructure there. These are issues which should dominate meetings as they are critical. The illegal miners should be removed and tight security deployed.”
Town Clerk Mr Adolf Gusha said security at the water storage tanks was being looked into, but advised that such sensitive issues were best discussed in closed door meetings.
“While I admit that we have to do something over the matter, such sensitive issues are better dealt with behind closed doors,” he said.
Online Reporter