BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Hwange’s Empumalanga residents are holding demonstrations today at the Zimbabwe National Water Authority  (ZINWA) offices, protesting their disconnection from water sources since February.

The community, which is home to over 1 000 households, has gone without water for eight months.

According to Irene Shangwa, vice chairman of Phase 4 residents, the community has been resorting to drinking unclean water from ponds near sewer lines, which is also consumed by wild animals.

“For the past eight months, we have been drinking water from underground. We do not even know where that water is coming from, whether it’s sewer water or just dirty water. We just drink it,” Shangwa said.

Some residents have been asking relatives for water, while others are selling water for $1 for four or five buckets.

The residents are requesting that the  ZINWA reconnect them to the water supply, and they’re willing to pay a $10 reconnection fee.

The disconnection was due to a standoff between the Hwange Local Board and the ZINWA over arrears.

Women and children are the most affected, as they’re the ones who fetch water from the ponds, exposing them to other diseases.

Last year they also went for eleven months without water, drinking from the ponds.

This is despite Zimbabwe being a signatory to the UN Human Rights Council, which recognizes the right to safe, clean, and potable water.

The country’s 2013 constitution also obliges the government to ensure that every person has access to safe and clean water.

For this, Shangwa says the demonstrations are to demand immediate action to address the water crisis and ensure that they have access to safe and clean drinking water.

More to follow…

BY STAFF REPORTER

New report reveals concerning trends in Matabeleland North Province: High rates of chronic illnesses like HIV & disability conditions, plus lower school attendance rates.

DETAILED STORY TO FOLLOW…

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has refused to disclose details of two Kenilworth boys who were bitten by police dogs, amid allegations that they were illegal gold panners.

ZRP national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said, “We are looking into that incident and the allegations and we will be able to give a detailed statement in due course.

Did it happen? We ask again.

“Nokuthaba, we are conducting investigations.”

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Mbongeni Hleza, from Gwitshi in Nkayi,  a victim of the police dog attack, has shared his traumatic experience.

He says he had just left his home to seek employment at the mines as his parents are struggling to look after them.

“I saw people running away as I was at the shops,”he said.

“I left home to look for employment in mines. They set two dogs on me, and they caught my trousers, and I immediately sat down. Baqhubeka benikela ukuthi zingilume and they kept laughing appearing drunk.

“The other bit me on the stomach, almost ripping off my intestines, while the other caught me on the arm and the other proceeded to the thigh while the other went to the neck.”

Another victim, 17-year-old Sabelo Dube, also shared his experience of being attacked by four police dogs.

He says he was sitting by the shops (Lukona) when he saw people running away as a police vehicle drove in.

“I decided to walk away, but shortly after, police sent dogs after me.”

When asked what the police said, Sabelo replied, “They were there, instructing me to stand still and let the dogs bite me to death. I complied.”

He also said, “They didn’t say what I had done. They were wearing full uniform. They said ‘uyabaleka gweja?’ (are you running away?) and I responded ‘I am not.’” Sabelo added, “I wish they could be arrested.”