adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
CHIKOMBEZI Police Station in Chiredzi District is reportedly operating without running water and proper ablution facilities with fears of a health crisis at the facility. Villagers in the area expressed concern over lack of water at the station, which is situated about 300km south-east of Masvingo city.
They told Chronicle during a visit to the area last Thursday that the station has been without water for some time and that police officers were now forced to fetch water from the nearby growth point. Because there is no running water, toilets for officers and their families are not working.
The villagers said the station used to have piped water but the pipes have since been blocked.
“There used to be piped water drawn from Chikombedzi Dam and officers used to get treated water.
“Officers are now fetching water from the growth point which is a distance away,” said a villager who preferred anonymity.
The officer-in-charge Inspector John Dzafunwa declined to comment on the issue saying he was not allowed to speak to the press.
“I am unable to give a comment. You can talk to my bosses at Chiredzi District HQ. I am not allowed to speak to the media,” he said.
Chiredzi South MP Cde Callisto Gwanetsa acknowledged the development and pledged to assist in restoring water supplies at the station.
“I am concerned about the plight of police officers at Chikombedzi Police Station. As the MP for the area I cannot sit back.
“We have deliberated on the matter with the top provincial management from Zinwa,” he said.
“The camp used to get its water from Chikombedzi Dam but that reservoir is now heavily silted and has dried up in the process.
“We are working on drawing water from Mwenezi River. The second option is to remove silt at Chikombedzi Dam.”
Online Reporter