Water Situation In Harare Now A State Of Emergency - Residents

Calls to declare Harare Water a state of emergency intensify as the city fathers announced that they have reduced their water pumping capacity from 300 megalitres to at least 200 megalitres. Zimbabwe Combined Residents and Ratepayers Association president Mr McStephen Nyabvure said failure by the council to provide clean safe water was a violation of human rights because safe clean water is a basic human right.

Speaking to the Herald Mr Nyabvure said:

This morning (yesterday) I have received numerous calls and messages from citizens including Members of Parliament stating that they are either queuing at boreholes or paying money per bucket to fetch water at boreholes.

The messages were delivered to me during very odd hours around midnight, 1 am, 2 am and 2:30 am. I have no doubt in my mind that the water crisis has reached crisis level and should be declared a national disaster.

Last week the city fathers announced they will increase water rates by 900% with some residents being charged in forex.

More: The Herald