FACT SHEET
No. 2, 2019
cholera outbreak which resulted in over 30 deaths.6 These boreholes have been
monopolised by some unscrupulous individuals who are extorting residents in order for
them to get water. In Chitungwiza in Zengeza 4 (Zengeza West constituency) ZPP
recorded a truck selling a bucket of water at $1.50 ZWL. Desperate residents are left
with no option but to purchase the water.7 In Epworth Constituency, Ward 2, three
youths are manning a borehole and forcing residents to purchase two buckets of water
at $1.50 ZWL.8
Women and children especially young girls bear the brunt of the water crisis. This
group spends most of their days looking for water and there have been unconfirmed
reports of men soliciting sexual favours from women so that they easily access water
at boreholes. School children spend long hours in water queues resulting in them
getting to school tired as they at times queue up to the early hours of the morning.
Without water, the chances of them attending school and learning productively are
compromised. The water and sanitation crisis places millions of residents at risk of
contracting waterborne diseases. Residents have often resorted to drinking water from
shallow, unprotected wells that are contaminated. The crisis has brought about issues
of extortion, exploitation and school absenteeism. ZPP is also concerned about the
conflicts that erupt at the watering holes as citizens jostle to get their buckets ahead of
the many hoping to get the precious liquid ahead of everyone else.
ZPP calls upon government and local authorities to ensure the right to water is
protected and upheld. Every citizen must enjoy the right to clean and safe water. Law
enforcement agents should bring to book those responsible for the extortion of citizens,
particularly the exploitation of women and children especially young girls. The peace
and security of women and young girls who spend countless hours waiting in long
queues to draw water is unfortunately not guaranteed. ZPP also calls on the Zimbabwe
Human Rights Commission to seriously investigate the acute shortages of water faced
by citizens in most urban centres.
Compiled and published by the Zimbabwe Peace Project
If you are concerned about acts of violence in your community ZPP encourages you to get in touch on
WhatsApp numbers: +263 774 883 406 and +263 774 883 417 and Toll free number 080 80199
6
WHO https://www.who.int/csr/don/20-september-2018-cholera-zimbabwe/en/
Zimbabwe Peace Project
8
Zimbabwe Peace Project
7