MDC-T councils killed 500 people, Kasukuwere

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere has made sensational claims that rival MDC-T 'killed' more than 500 people particularity in Harare due to water-borne diseases.

Government has since formed an inter-ministerial committee to tack the spread of water borne diseases and going to the extent of proposing a ban on food vending in Harare.

Kasukuwere said several  MDC-T administered local authorities are per-occupied in corrupt activities instead of focusing on service delivery.

"Quite clearly, we have councillors who are self-centred, who think that they must get per diem than service delivery," Kasukuwere is quoted saying by the state controlled Herald.

He added "They have been keen on allocating themselves stands, getting the best piece of land at the expense of service delivery".

A weekly report on Epidemic–Prone Diseases, Deaths and Public Health Events for the week ending December 25, 2016 compiled by the Ministry of Health show that  last year 529 people died from the water-borne diseases.

"Total diarrhoea cases reported this week (week ending December 25, 2016) are 6 183 cases and 10 deaths.

"Of the reported cases, 2 838 (45.9 percent) and one death were from the under five years of age. The deaths were reported in Kwekwe district in Midlands province (3), Chipinge district in Manicaland province (1), Mpilo Central Hospital (2) and Harare Central Hospital (4).

"The provinces which reported the highest numbers of diarrhoea cases are Mashonaland East (1 015) and Manicaland (957). The cumulative figures for diarrhoea cases are 513 726 and 414 deaths."