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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Health Crisis - Focus on Cholera and Anthrax - Index of articles
Residents
fear another cholera outbreak . . . as the City of Harare embarks
on a water disconnection spree and water cuts persist
Combined Harare
Residents Association (CHRA)
November 17, 2009
Fears of another cholera
outbreak have gripped the residents of Harare as persistent water
cuts have resurfaced in the western suburbs of Budiriro, Glenview
and Glen Norah. Residents are also irked by the continued disregard
for their right to water by the City of Harare as the City's
water department has embarked on a water disconnection spree for
outstanding water bills; a situation that has seen residents resorting
to unprotected sources for supplies.
The CHRA Vice
Chairperson and Ward leader for Glen View ward 30, Beatrice Ngwenya,
voiced her concern over the water disconnection exercise which she
has described as insensitive, especially considering the fact that
the residents of Harare have hardly recovered from the effects of
the cholera outbreak that claimed more than 3,000 lives nationwide.
The outbreak was a result of acute water shortages; a situation
that is being perpetuated by the water disconnections. Moreover,
residents have also complained that, during the few hours that they
get water per week, the City of Harare is supplying unclean water
in spite of the exorbitant water bills. The water disconnection
exercise has continued despite the Cabinet resolution that water
supplies should not be disconnected for whatever reasons.
The water disconnection
exercise also comes at a time when most residents are earning an
average income of USD150 against water, electricity and City of
Harare bills that are within the range of USD30-USD100 each in high
density areas and USD100-250 in low density areas. More than half
of the ratepayers in Harare do not have the capacity to foot the
exorbitant bills from service providers and that means a large part
of the Harare populace is likely to go without water for default
of payment. Fears of another cholera outbreak are growing as residents
have been left with no choice except to resort to unprotected sources
of water. The situation is likely to be exacerbated by the rainy
season that is at hand.
The Combined Harare Residents
Association (CHRA) calls on the government to intervene into this
issue and compel the City of Harare to prioritize the lives of residents
by ensuring constant supplies of clean and adequate water instead
of prioritizing money at the expense of residents' lives.
CHRA remains committed to advocating for good, transparent and accountable
local governance as well as lobbying for quality and affordable
municipal services.
Visit the CHRA
fact
sheet
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