STAFF REPORTER
MASHAVA – A deepening humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Ward 5, Mashava, where an estimated 7,000 people have survived for a week without running water, sparking outrage from residents.
In an interview with The Midweek Watch on Thursday, residents mostly women condemned the prolonged shortage of running water affecting communities describing it as “a serious violation of basic human rights and a growing public health emergency.”
“We are experiencing a water challenge in Mashava and the problem has gone for more than 6 days.
“Our borehole broke down and we are experiencing long queues at the solarised borehole where one individual might have more than 20 buckets.
“This lack of access to clean water undermines our dignity, increases vulnerability, and deepens existing inequalities within the community,” said a woman who identified herself as Stella Chuma.
She said girls and women are bearing the brunt of the crisis, forced to walk long distances to fetch water for household use.
“Women and girls are disproportionately affected by this crisis, as they bear the burden of sourcing water for household use, often exposing themselves to unsafe conditions, exploitation, and health risks,” she added.
Masvingo West Ward 5 Councillor Korowa Manyame noted that intervention strategies are work in progress to restore the issue.
“We held a meeting with Zinwa and council officials with regards to the situation and came out with a resolution that water should be pumped from Tugwi to supply Gaths mine residents. Considering the situation here in Ward 5, council officials and Zinwa are busy working on the problem and I am sure by end of this week they will be done,” he said assuring residents of water restoration.
Health experts warn that prolonged water scarcity increases the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid, and places additional strain on children who are often pulled out of school to fetch water.
