By Pretty Chavango.
(Harare) (News Of The South) – Residents of Kambuzuma and its surrounding suburbs celebrated World water day on the March 29 at Kambuzuma 2 community hall , various organisations took part in the event amongst them Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) , Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) , Harare residence alliance, Water alliance , Harare water task force , Epworth Residents Development Association (ERDA) amongst others .
Harare deputy Mayor Mr Thomas Muzuva who is also councillor of Kambuzuma graced the event .
Water taskforce representative Mr Israel Mabhoo spoke of the added expense brought by prepaid metres which he said are expensive for the ordinary person and makes water rates expensive since electricity is used to pump the water, he argued that water is a basic human right and should be readily available.
Gertrude Machakaride of CHRA spoke on the need for council to engage with society first before acquiring any loans as it is the residents who are left to pay them through rates, residents she says are key stakeholders in City Councils since it is their money which pays the bills arguing “nothing for us without us”.
Mr Henry Kanye of ERDA highlighted the special needs and challenges of the disabled members of society and urged council to be sensitive to their needs and involve them in decision making since they require different services to that of an able bodied person making water cuts an extra burden as fetching and carrying it from long distances may be impossible.
Residents complained of how they were expected to carry water to clinics if they are family members of women who put to bed, these women are also forced to wake up in the early hours of the morning to access clean water to bath after giving birth before it runs out.
ZIMCODD Director Ms Patricia Kasiamhuru urged residents to confront responsible authorities on any loan which they borrow to ascertain who pays it and what it is required for, ZIMCODD which funded the event is running a campaign termed “Cheuka / Look back Kangela Emuva Platform “, which entails those elected to office to remember where they came from and give back to the community.
Deputy Mayor of Harare Thomas Muzuva spoke on the need for urgent repairs of infrastructure at Morton Jeffrey water works he attributed poor water supplies to these old pipes which he said are always leaking causing 60% of clean water to be lost with only 40% being delivered to the people, he urged people to preserve wetlands as they are also a source of underground water. Mr Muzuva spoke on the erratic electricity supplies hampering the pumping of water.
”Zimbabwe should turn to solar as a substitute for electricity as it is cheaper and easily accessible “, Muzuva urged resident activism which he said works hand in hand with city councils and responsible authorities in providing clean and safe water .
Under the banner “Demanding equitable access to safe, clean, portable water in Harare” .
These celebrations took place a week after World Water day commemorations and set to educate society on their right to access clean and safe water at all times.
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