Glen View, Kuwadzana cholera hotspots

Talent Gore

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care has identified the Harare suburbs of Glen View and Kuwadzana as cholera hotspots.

Kuwadzana recorded 56 and Glen View 40 new cholera cases on Wednesday.

Since the outbreak began in September, the country has recorded 8 385 suspected cases of cholera, 1 304 confirmed cases, 8 054 recoveries, 53 confirmed deaths and 153 suspected deaths, with Harare being the most affected.

The Harare City Council has been asked to provide water bowsers to support residents in affected areas, as the contamination of groundwater has affected the supply of both borehole and tap water.

The Ministry said non-food item (NFI) kits distribution continues in affected areas and boreholes are being drilled and repaired.

Harare Residents Trust executive director, Precious Shumba, said the council had to look for ways to provide water for residents to mitigate the cholera outbreak.

“Underground water pipes in Harare have numerous leakages along the water distribution network. Sewer pipes are leaking in most suburbs, resulting in the contamination of most of our groundwater,” he said.

“This means that both borehole and tap water is never trusted by the residents. In fact, residents do not trust drinking council tap water.

“As the Harare Residents Trust, we expect the City of Harare to provide water bowsers to mitigate the situation. They lack the capacity and willpower to help find lasting solutions in the interest of public health and safety.”

Shumba said that council was on average supplying only 40 percent of water to connected households, leaving a 60 percent supply deficit.

“Of the average 300 megalitres being pumped and supplied by the City of Harare, 50-60 percent is being lost through leakages along the water distribution network,” he said.

“This deficit is covered by shallow wells, as well as community and private boreholes by humanitarian agencies, like the church and individuals.

“Most households in Mabvuku and Tafara and water-scarce communities have shallow wells at their houses.”