By A Correspondent- Residents here have expressed concern over acute water shortages citing fears of water borne diseases as the rainy season begins.

Mabvuku and Tafara residents said their right to water was compromised calling on government to help alleviate water woes for urban dwellers who are at risk of contracting typhoid and cholera among other diseases.

Said the Harare Residents Trust in a statement:

“A right to water campaign meeting was held here on 5 November 2019. Residents expressed concerns on the acute water shortages, and complained that they have gone for a long time without adequate and consistent water supplies.

The meeting was conducted using a focus group discussion in order for residents to express their experiences on the water services, bring out challenges and mapping the way forward.

The focus group discussions was made up of residents drawn from Chizhanje, Kugarika Kushinga, Mabvuku, New Tafara and Old Tafara comprising of twelve men and forty five women. The Act Alliance, an international organisation, supported the meeting.

Residents expressed mixed feelings during the discussions. A majority of them felt that their constitutional right to water was being violated, while others said the residents should always pay for their water when it is delivered to them.  

Water is life and it has no substitute hence the availability of water is very crucial. Kugarika Kushinga and some parts of Old Tafara have gone for more than twenty years without receiving tap water, provided by the municipality.

In Mabvuku, residents said those who reside in low-lying areas receive water frequently while those on higher ground have no chance of receiving water.  Residents in Chizhanje V area said their water taps are symbolic and most of the taps are corroded.

Residents said women and children are the most affected group with the state of water, as they have to look for other sources like community boreholes, which they spend four to five hours queuing to draw water.”