A significant number of areas in the dormitory town receive water once a week, usually from midnight to the early morning hours.
“We get water on Tuesday in the middle of the night and that is when we get to do chores such as washing clothes and cleaning dishes. After that, we don’t have enough water for washing anything and we have to wait until the following week,” said a Zengeza 2 resident, Rutendo Kuhamba.
Another resident, Marian Mukoko, said: “Usually, we buy water for $0,20 per 20 litre bucket. That is when we get a decent bath.” Shuvai Gundani, another resident, said that the situation was bad.
“We come home from work tired, yet we have to wake up in the middle of the night to do our washing. After that there is no time to rest because we are preparing to go to work. It’s very difficult for us,” said Gundani.
The water shortages have forced mothers to use baby diapers that do not need to be washed. Mothers, however, cannot afford to buy the nappies.
Last week, Chitungwiza Town Clerk, George Makunde, told The Zimbabwean that most of the local authority’s garbage fleet was grounded. The situation, he said, had forced the local authority to collect garbage only once a week in residential areas.
Post published in: News