Taps run dry in Kariba

that taps in their homes have run dry.
It has been established that one of Kariba Municipality’s two water pumps has ceased functioning. For the past four days, many residents have gone without water while looking at the vast expanse of Lake Kariba.
Town planner Mr Martin Banda said a seal on the pump was not working and they were in the process of securing a new one.
He said the seal is not readily available in Kariba and they had ordered one from Harare.
Several schools have since closed due to the water scarcity.
Many people, including school children, have been fetching water from Lake Kariba for domestic use.
A ministry of education officer in the district said the closure of schools was not formal but parents had opted to put their children’s safety first.
“None of the schools have written a formal letter to have the institutions closed but I acknowledge that most of the pupils are not going to school,” he said.
Residents have, however, rejected the pump breakdown explanation and claimed poor planning and corruption were behind the lack of water supplies. Residents and businesses owe the municipality thousands of dollars with some households being in arrears of around US$500 though services have rarely been discontinued.