SW Radio Africa (London)
Henry Makiwa
3 September 2007
Most of Karoi has now gone for two months without water, prompting residents to resort to digging up open wells and the nearby Karoi Dam for fresh water.
Karoi residents who spoke to SW Radio Africa Monday said a major health crisis is looming in Zimbabwe's northwestern town. They said have been reduced to fetching water from unprotected sources, and have to walk long distances or drive to suburbs such as Chikangwe to get clean drinking water.
Joshua Zvavahera of Chiedza high-density suburb laid the blame entirely on the government for giving absolute authority for the control of urban water to the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA). He said: "The crisis is purely political. The government gave Zinwa authority and yet the organization is incapable of ensuring the repair of the damaged water pipes and does not possess the technical know-how to contain the crisis."
"We have now not had water since the end of June; and we are now being forced to get water from the Zinwa water works, but that depends on the mood of workers there at any particular day. We understand that a broken down pump had not been repaired for several months, virtually cutting supplies to all parts of the town," Zvavahera said.
Charles Nhamoinesu, another resident, confirmed the water shortages and agreed a health disaster is looming in the town of Karoi, some 90km from Harare on the road to Kariba.
He said: "We have already heard reports of cases of diarrhea from the local clinic and we suspect it can only be because of the water crisis. People are doing their laundry in the Karoi dam while others are digging up wells in the swampy areas. The lack of electrical energy has also compounded issues hence Zinwa's slow progress in resolving the situation," he added.
We were not able to get comment from Zinwa, the state-run board responsible for water and sewer services. The parastatal has been under fire since taking over water management in Harare and other urban areas whose water supplies have become worse.
In Bulawayo the mayor and council held an emergency meeting Monday because there is no water in most areas of the town. Schools open Tuesday and there are fears of an outbreak of water-borne diseases at schools that house hundreds of students, but have no water to flush toilets or prepare food safely.
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