Zimbabwe capital shuts down main water pipes

Zimbabwe’s capital shut its main water works on Monday citing shortages of foreign currency to import treatment chemicals, the deputy mayor said.

Zimbabwe’s capital has closed its water plant due to lack of funds to purchase water treatment chemicals, forcing residents to rely on open and untreated water sources,  potentially leaving the city dry and raising the risk of water borne diseases like cholera.

Last year, the southern African nation suffered its worst cholera outbreak in a decade, which killed at least 26 people mainly in Harare, due to burst sewers and inadequate water supplies.

The issue angered the residents of the city. “What happens is on our side, our budget for water is now exhausted,” resident Chideme said. “We have approached [the] government to appraise [the] government of the need to support the water sector, to declare it an emergency so that funding partners can also come onboard and assist the city in the long-term projects.”

For years, rights groups have accused the government of prioritizing matters such as foreign trips and luxury vehicles for senior officials, neglecting issues like health care, education and water supplies.

Via Reuters / VOA / EPA