Health time bomb ticks in Mhangura

Herald Correspondent
Mhangura is facing an imminent health disaster if steps are not taken to repair broken down communal toilets. Residents in high density suburbs of Chebanga and Damba have expressed concern over the deplorable state of the toilets. Most of the toilets are no longer functional while the few cannot cope due to the increased number of people using them.

The district environmental health technician, Mr Edwin Mumiriki raised a red flag on the situation in Mhangura high density suburbs.
“There is a likelihood of water-borne diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery and cholera, especially when the rainy season starts. The situation needs urgent attention,” he said. Martha Kasiyane (70) of Chebanga charges a $1 to clean the toilets without putting on protective clothing like gloves and gumboots, which puts her health at risk.

“I am paid $1 by each household to perform cleaning duties twice each day,” she said. Ambuya Kasiyane said she had no choice because that is her only means of raising money to take care of her grandchildren who are orphans. Residents called on their Member of Parliament, Dr Douglas Mombeshora to address the crisis. Makonde Rural District Council officials who spoke on condition of anonymity distanced the local authority from the problem, saying the water and sewer reticulation systems were done by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority. Efforts to get a comment from Zinwa were fruitless.