Waterborne diseases outbreak looms in Bulawayo suburbs

AN outbreak of waterborne diseases is looming in Bulawayo with some suburbs going for weeks without water, forcing residents to resort to using the bush to relieve themselves.

Suburbs such as Mabutweni and some sections of Magwegwe usually go for weeks without running water.

The situation is severe in Mabutweni where four families of more than 25 people share a single toilet. The situation is also worsened by the toilets, which are outside the houses and open to use passersby. Some passers-by even use them without water.

In separate interviews this week, residents said they were afraid of an outbreak of diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea especially with the onset of the rainy season.

The residents said the situation reminded them of the 2008 outbreak of cholera, which claimed thousands of lives countrywide.

The city supply dams are running dry and are unable to adequately supply the whole population, a development which has forced the city council to introduce water-shedding.

The residents urged the relevant authorities to address the problem of water shortages before it turns into a health crisis.

"The city council should consider our situation. What do you expect when there is no water for more than a week. Just enter our toilets and you will understand what I mean," said Mr Mduduzi Mabhena, a resident of Mabutweni.

Another resident of Mabutweni, Ms Silibaziso Mbambo said living without water was difficult especially to people who go to work, as they do not have time to queue for water supplied by the city council bowsers.

"This life is very bad. Look at all the flies buzzing. Some of us have completely forgotten about the toilets and we are now using the bush. Where do you expect me to get water when I spend most of my time at work. When I come back the council water vehicles would have left," said Ms Mbambo.

Asked why Mabutweni was going for weeks without water, the councillor for the area, Clr Lot Siziba said there were technical problems with pumping water.

He, however, declined to shed more light on the matter,  saying "his job is to make sure that the city council vehicles bring water on time".

A resident of Old Magwegwe, Mr Daniel Moyo said life without water was proving to be difficult to children.

"We do get water from the council vehicles. But allowing children to use it to go to the toilet would be a disaster because we would be left without anything. As for the children they have to go to the bush to relieve themselves," he said.

Another resident of Old Magwegwe, Ms Nomsa Ndlovu said besides being a health hazard, the shortage of water was negatively affecting the daily lives of women, as they were mostly responsible for looking for water.

"Whether I like it or not, I am supposed to get water for washing the nappies and this I have to do everyday," she said. "Every Saturday I should make sure that I have sufficient water to wash everyone's clothes. I do not have time for myself anymore since I spend most of the time queuing for water."

Contacted for comment, Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Thaba Moyo, said the council was closely monitoring the "overpopulated" high density suburbs in the event there is an outbreak of waterborne diseases.

"We are watching the situation. We know the areas which are in danger," he said.

"We are closely watching all the overpopulated areas like Sizinda, Mabutweni and other old suburbs, which have very old sanitation systems."

Clr Moyo said there was no need to blame the council for the water shortages because the city and surroundings did not receive significant rains.