Tsvangirai launches water, anti-litter campaign

Zimbabwe should never revisit the 2008 cholera outbreak era which saw over 4 000 people dying due to the contamination of water sources and scarcity of clean water across the country, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has said.

Tsvangirai made the call while launching government's two-year National Water Conservation Awareness and Zero Litter Campaign at Budiriro 5 Shopping Centre in Harare today.

The campaign being held under the theme; "Conserve Water and Stop Littering to Save Money and the Environment" is meant to encourage members of the public to save water and avoid littering to reduce the outbreak of diseases. The campaign will later be taken to other cities and towns across the country.

Budiriro is one of Harare's high density suburbs which had a serious cholera outbreak in 2008 that resulted in the death of hundreds of residents.

"We do not want Stone Age diseases like cholera, typhoid and dysentery to recur and that is our responsibility. Fifty percent of the country's population is living in urban areas and that means our population should stay in a smart environment to avoid such outbreaks," he said.

Tsvangirai said that the issue of maintaining a clean environment was not a political campaign.

"When some people hear about campaigns they think about politics. We are talking about where we are living and this does not involve politics. Cleanliness is next to Godliness," said Tsvangirai.

He called for Zimbabweans to have a collective responsibility in safeguarding the future.

"We want economic growth but global corporations are causing climate change due to dumping of chemicals in water sources. Therefore, local authorities should have the powers to arrest and prosecute those who are causing damage to the environment.

He said Harare used to be a Sunshine City and called on city fathers to ensure that it retains its status. President Tsvangirai also applauded the Harare City Council for solving the water crisis in Harare by installing new water pipes and reducing the number of those not receiving regular water supply.

In his speech, the Minister Water Resources Development and Management, Samuel Sipepa-Nkomo said demand continued to outstrip supply in urban areas and it remained a challenge due to aging infrastructure, shortage of chemicals.

The Mayor of Harare, Muchadeyi Masunda said there was need to inculcate a culture of hygiene. "We need to wage a hearts and minds war for the preservation of our environment," he said urging residents to save water.

The launch was attended by thousands of people who included Tsvangirai's wife, Ms Elizabeth Macheka, diplomats, several ministers, MPs and Senators, councillors, Harare residents and students from Budiriro schools who provided entertainment.

Meanwhile, popular musician, Derrick Mpofu has been appointed the Goodwill Ambassador of the campaign.