3 Million Voices
The right to water, (as provided for in section 77 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe) despite being
among the most basic rights necessary for human dignity, life and full enjoyment of all other
rights, continues to be one of the most violated and problematic in the country.
This is due to various factors including climate change, a worsening economic crisis and more
recently, the COVID 19 pandemic. The crisis has seen households going for months without piped
water forcing many to rely on stream water, shallow wells and boreholes. Further, cholera and
typhoid outbreaks and deaths due to water borne diseases amidst the COVID 19 pandemic have
also been recorded in major cities.
During April, Masvingo Provincial Hospital announced that it was intermittently suspending
theatre operations due to the water crisis in the city. In some cases, patients were required to
bring their own water causing a delay.
According to Masvingo Provincial Medical Doctor (PMD) Dr Amadeus Shamhu, the hospital has
two boreholes which have the capacity to supply the water needed. Despite this, patients are still
complaining that they are in dire need of the precious liquid.
Masvingo City Council has attributed the water problems in the city to Zimbabwe Electricity
Supply Authority’s (ZESA) faulty transformer which powers the Bushmead Water Works.
In light of this, ZPP calls upon the State to uphold section 77 of the constitution, respect and
protect people’s right to water and ensure that water rationing is equitable, consensual and
humane.
On May 4, a woman in Kariba gave birth outside
Nyamhunga Clinic . Nurses at the clinic allegedly
made her wait outside as they were on lunch In this
video, nurses are attending to her outside.
Follow the link to watch the video
Did you know that Section 52 of the Constitution
guarantees your right to personal security and
freedom from ALL FORMS OF violence? This includes
violence from the State.
Follow the link to watch the video
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