Gwanda suburb hit by water shortages

A worsening water crisis in Gwanda's Spitzkop suburb has left thousands of residents exposed to potential disease outbreaks as persistent water shortages and sewer bursts continue to threaten public health.

Ward 10 councillor Siyanda Siziba said the situation had become dire, with more than 3 000 residents enduring erratic water supplies and recurring sewer blockages that have turned streets into potential breeding grounds for disease.

"We have a huge challenge here at Spitzkop in Gwanda where we face a lot of water woes," Siziba said. "When the water comes, it doesn't reach other areas. Then when it does, we experience sewer bursts all over, which create health hazards for the people. I have tried addressing this in council meetings - it's a talk of the day - but when it comes to improvement, there is nothing."

Residents have grown increasingly frustrated as their appeals for reliable water and sanitation services go unanswered. Siziba warned that continued neglect of water and sewer systems could lead to serious public health emergencies if immediate action is not taken.

"These sewer bursts expose residents to contamination and diseases," he said. "It's a serious public health concern that needs urgent attention."

Gwanda's water challenges are long-standing, with suburbs such as Spitzkop suffering for years from unreliable water supply caused by aging infrastructure, frequent power cuts, and low water pressure, particularly in high-lying areas.

Despite numerous discussions within the local council, Siziba said little progress has been made toward finding lasting solutions. "The issue keeps coming up. We talk about it all the time, but there's no improvement. People are tired of promises - they just want clean, running water and working sewer systems," he added.

The councillor urged both the local authority and government agencies to prioritise the crisis in Spitzkop as a matter of public health urgency. "We can't keep waiting while people's health is at risk," Siziba said. "The sewer bursts and lack of water must be addressed urgently before diseases break out."