Water woes persist as city fathers deny neglecting boreholes

resuscitate the boreholes in many parts of the city.
“The reasons why some boreholes are not working vary from breakdowns to vandalisms but we are doing our best,” said Mr Gwindi.

A survey by The Herald in Glen View, Budiriro, Highfield, Glen Norah, Kuwadzana and Warren Park revealed that a significant number of boreholes were dysfunctional.

Mr Gwindi said a variety of technical issues were the reason why parts of the city’s main suburbs had gone without water for the last two weeks.

“We are getting to the bottom of this, some of the technical faults were attended to during the weekend and we are hoping the situation will improve soon,” he said.

Private companies drilled close to 235 boreholes over the past few years which were handed to the city for management.

The water woes affecting Harare’s western suburbs have forced Mbare residents in Magaba to resort to fetching water for drinking and laundry from Mukuvisi river.

When The Herald visited the place yesterday, residents were busy fetching water from the contaminated river.

One of the residents identified as Amai Fanuel said they had no option in the face of the severe water shortage.

“Just imagine this is our second month with no water in our flats, we cannot sit down and die of thirst or keep dirty clothes in our houses that is why we have resorted to this river for our domestic needs,” she said.

Milton Pagaya, a male resident from the same area said: “I am worried about the health of my young children as they also drink the same dirty water.

“How can city council abandon us like this. They left us for dead because this water we are drinking is very dirty and exposes us to water borne diseases.”

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He said residents were living in fear that cholera or typhoid might break out.
Pagaya called on Government to fire the entire city management and bring in new people with fresh ideas.

Another resident who also identified herself as Amai Jannet said vendors who are in the business of selling sadza at Magaba used the same water for cooking.

“This situation is that if cholera breaks out it will not spare anyone here,” said Amai Jannet.
Acting director for Harare Water Engineer Simon Muserere said the water crisis in Magaba was a result of a burst water pipe which had since been rectified and people should start to access tap water as from tomorrow.

He said he was not aware that Magaba residents were drinking untreated water from Mukuvisi river.
“We are not aware of that terrible situation. People must be educated against drinking untreated water from unprotected sources to curb cholera and typhoid outbreaks,” said Eng Muserere.