In Zimbabwe, corrupt individuals are taking advantage of the current water shortages. Most of them are experienced in influencing urban councils and have taken control of boreholes, charging fees for residents to draw water.
A fact sheet released by the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) at the weekend said the situation was rampant in Chitungwiza and Epworth where cash-strapped residents are being fleeced to get access to water before calling on the police to bring to book the perpetrators.
"Boreholes have been monopolised by some unscrupulous individuals who are extorting residents in order for them to get water," ZPP said. Most boreholes in urban areas where sunk by non-governmental organisations. "In Chitungwiza in Zengeza 4, ZPP recorded a truck selling a bucket of water at $1.50. Desperate residents are left with no option but to purchase the water.
In Harare, lack of key water treatment chemicals have forced the City Council to halt production at the Morton Jaffray water treatment plant, leaving nearly two million without access to running water. "The water and sanitation crisis places millions of residents at risk of contracting waterborne diseases. Residents have often resorted to drinking water from shallow, unprotected wells that are contaminated. The crisis has brought about issues of extortion, exploitation and school absenteeism. ZPP is also concerned about the conflicts that erupt at the watering holes as citizens jostle to get their buckets ahead of the many hoping to get the precious liquid ahead of everyone else.”
Source: allafrica.com
