By William Milasi
Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister, Owen Ncube, has ordered local authorities to ensure the continuous provision of clean and portable water to residents.
This action aims to combat the escalating cholera crisis currently affecting various regions in the country.
Speaking during a clean-up campaign in Kwekwe recently, Ncube acknowledged the prevalence of cholera in the Midlands Province, attributing its exacerbation to inadequate waste disposal practices and flooding.
“The Midlands Province is grappling with the cholera outbreak, intensified by unattended garbage and flooding. It is imperative that local authorities ensure consistent access to safe water for residents to mitigate this outbreak,” he said.
Resembling the deadly 2008 cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, the waterborne disease has resurfaced in the country. Poor service delivery, inadequate sanitation, and inefficient waste management in urban areas have primarily fueled the spread of cholera.
Moreover, Ncube emphasized the necessity of proper waste management, highlighting government initiatives focused on instituting reforms, including mandatory clean-ups and strict penalties for illegal waste disposal.
“We are implementing strategies to engage everyone in waste management through institutional and legislative reforms, making clean-ups obligatory and illegal waste disposal a severe offense. It is essential to clean our neighborhoods, both residential and workplaces,” Ncube emphasized.
He urged local authorities to enforce waste management by-laws rigorously, prioritize designated dump sites, and establish infrastructure to facilitate waste collection, segregation, and recycling.
Ncube stressed the importance of collective effort towards maintaining a clean environment, aiming to enhance the appeal of urban areas for tourism, trade, and investment.
“Unity and concerted efforts are necessary to foster a clean environment, thereby enhancing the image of our urban spaces, attracting tourism, trade and investment,” he said.
He also called upon residents to take responsibility by refraining from littering in non-designated areas, as this contributes to blockages in drainage systems.
Additionally, Ncube urged Kwekwe City Council to improve Mbizo public toilets and prioritize road upgrades to align with the standards expected of an upper-middle-income status.
Kwekwe has been facing water shortages forcing residents to resort to unprotected water sources. Redcliff Municipality which receives water from Kwekwe has been dogged by perennial water shortages due to the complexities of failing to settle its debt with the chief water supplier.
