…as ZESA disconnects plant over arrears
MID-WEEK REPORTER
BUHERA – A health time bomb is ticking at the sprawling Murambinda Town as the country’s electricity supplier, ZESA disconnected power at the sole Water Treatment Plant managed by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA).
Murambinda which was recently accorded town board status had its water treatment plant’s power disconnected on Saturday following a bill which had allegedly not been serviced for over six months, The Midweek has learnt.
When contacted for a comment, ZINWA public relations and communications manager, Marjorie Munyonga said she had not been informed about the development at Murambinda Town Board.
The unavailability of water at the urban set up is threatening the health of the residents, a nurse at one of the biggest health centers in Manicaland Province, Murambinda Hospital anonymously told The Midweek as she is not authorised to speak to the media.
Residents at Murambinda rely entirely on water from ZINWA and with the outbreak of typhoid and cholera in some pockets of Harare and Bulawayo recently the situation may easily spread to the town as most busses from Buhera District to the two cities pass through the area, added the nurse.
Buhera Residents Network chairman, Leonard Mabasa has urged the responsible authorities to quickly solve the problem so that residents are not prejudiced.
“The two service providers should find lasting solutions to the unbearable situation at hand. Now that Murambinda is a Town Board, we challenge authorities to up their game in provision of services to the residents.
“This is inline with the Vision 2030 of the country to uplift lives of each Zimbabwean without leaving anyone behind and the provision and availability of water is one of them,” said Mabasa.
When The Midweek visited the water treatment pump, ZINWA workers said they are unable to provide water to the residents due to a mechanical fault.
“The plight of the residents is our concern. Water is a basic right and its unavailability exposes our residents to health problems,” said Mabasa.
