THE ZIMBABWE
PEACE PROJECT
Access to clean, potable and safe water as provided for in
Section 77 of the Constitution, has remained elusive as major
urban centres have had to go for weeks without running water.
This has been attributed to the failure by local authorities to
acquire the water treatment chemicals and the drying up of
water sources.
While the crisis peaked in October, and was expected to recede
in November as the first rains came, ZPP records show that the
situation remained dire, especially in heavily populated areas
like Bulawayo, Chitungwiza, Harare, and Norton.
Smaller towns like Mutoko and Kariba, which sits on the shores
of Zimbabwe’s largest lake, were not spared, going for weeks
without running water.
In Norton residents from Katanga and Maridale stated that they
had gone for close to three months without a drop of water
coming out of their taps.
In Bulawayo and surrounding areas, residents are spending long
hours in queues in search of water at public water points and
this has affected their other activities.
In two unfortunate incidents in Nkulumane and Nketha
constituencies, Zanu PF activists reportedly took over boreholes
and are demanding up to ZWL50 per month from residents who
use the water points.
Overall, the situation has greatly affected women, who, because
of the gender roles assigned to them by our patriarchal society,
have to find water.
After waiting to get water for up to five hours a day, women
find themselves unable to do any other economic activity and
limits their empowerment.
Section 77 of the
Constitution
of
Zimbabwe guarantees
the right to clean,
potable and safe water.
Government
should
therefore
avail
resources for water
cleaning chemicals and
should embark on a
drive to increase the
number of public water
points.
Government
should
also implement an early
prevention programme
to
deal
with
the
looming typhoid and
cholera disaster as we
enter the rain season.
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