Kadoma runs dry (14-12-06)

urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />Kadoma has been hit by a severe water crisis, forcing desperate residents to buy bottled water for household use.

Severely affected areas include Kadoma General Hospital, which is now relying on sourcing water from other premises using a water bowser. During a visit to the hospital by this reporter, patients and nurses were desperate to get drinking water, a situation compounded by the scorching summer heat.

The erratic water supplies come only a few months after the Mayor, Fani Phiri, announced in his re-election manifesto that adequate water supply and housing delivery were some of his top priorities.

Women and children spend most of their time fetching water in buckets from the few outlets and boreholes in the city, which has virtually run dry. There are fears that the water interruptions could trigger a health hazard.

Contacted for comment, the Director of Investment Promotion and Public Relations Gear Hanyane had not responded to questions by the time of going to press.