26 Feb 2019
Hwange ward 9 community members are calling on Hwange Colliery Company and well wishers to improve sanitation facilities that have been in a dire state for over a decade.
The residents asserted the need for resuscitation of water point committees and capacity enhancement of committees so that there is community stewardship in management of water resources and infrastructure.
Ward 9 community members also call on the convention of an all stakeholders’ conference that will come up with agreed short, medium and long term solutions to water, sanitation and hygiene challenges in most parts of Hwange.
The convention will address laws and policies on access to clean and portable water, social accountability and billing systems.
It is daunting that there are parts of Hwange, which are under the Hwange Colliery Company administration, that spend 20 hours a day without water supply. The areas have domestic tap water for two hours from 5am and another two hours from 6pm.
It is alleged that some residential areas have not had clean and portable water for the past 20 years. A gross human rights violation.
The Hwange Colliery Company draws water from a trans-boundary water source Zambezi River and the water is treated before distribution to residents in Ward 9. The infrastructure supplying water in Hwange is old, dilapidated and has been vandalised too.
Community Water Alliance implores Hwange city fathers and providers of water, sanitation and hygiene services to respect and fulfill Section 51 and 77(a) of the Zimbabwean Constitution. The sections expound on the right to human dignity and the right to safe, clean and portable water, respectively.
Well wishers are also invited to improve Hwange residents’ access to water and proper sanitation facilities.
#PotableWaterIsAPriority
#TakePartInPreventionOfAHealthDisaster
