A girl collects drinking water from a stream in Glen Norah, Harare. Zimbabwe has cut water supplies to the nation’s capital Harare, state media reported on Monday, leaving most of the city dry as authorities struggle to contain a cholera epidemic.
Since the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) had failed to find chemicals to treat the water supply, the state-run utility on Sunday stopped pumping water in the capital, the government mouthpiece Herald newspaper said.
“Most parts of Harare – including the city centre – did not get water yesterday amid claims by Zinwa staff that the authority had stopped pumping after it ran out of one of the essential chemicals,” the Herald reported.
Residents in Harare’s populous sister city of Chitungwiza told AFP that their taps had also run dry.
People throughout the city were carrying containers searching for water, while others have resorted to digging shallow wells in their yards in the hope of finding water.
Some government offices have closed down due to the lack of water and sanitation in the buildings.
The city has suffered water cuts for years, prompting wealthier residents to install deep wells or cisterns.
But the city-wide cut appeared aimed at stopping the flow of untreated water around Harare, which is at the epicentre of the cholera epidemic.
Cholera is a highly contagious, but treatable disease that causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting that can kill a patient within hours.
The government says that 425 people have died of cholera across the country and a total of 11 071 suspected cases had been reported since the current outbreak began in August. – AFP
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December 1st, 2008 at 11:04 am
Why is it that Mugabe and his government can not just accept that they have failed…and just pack their bags and GO????
This is what the Minister of Health had to say in an interview…..
“I continue to worry over the water situation and sewer reticulation in the country, especially during the current rainy season,” he said.
The Government and its partners, Dr Parirenyatwa said, would continue to educate people on how to avoid contracting the deadly disease.
“I want to stress the issue of shaking hands. Although it’s part of our tradition to shake hands, it’s high time people stopped shaking hands,” he said.
I’m sorry this is not enough….we expect more from the government!
December 1st, 2008 at 11:21 am
@Anonymous…..it’s true we expect more from the government, but can we expect anything better from our current government???
Does the government care about the people’s welfare?????? Not at all
December 1st, 2008 at 11:27 am
OMG/..and Mugabe had money to go to Qatar???? Can not believe anyone could vote for this man to remain in office!!!