ROHR also expresses concern that residents of Harare and Chitungwiza have had to live with dry taps for several months now. In some parts of Harare, such as Budiriro, Glenview, Hatfield, the last drop of tap water was seen in August. As a result women are seen carrying not only babies on their backs but buckets of water on their heads long distances from the very few open wells that they can find. Scavenging for water means it is a luxury to use water for flushing toilets and residents have resorted to using bushes as toilets resulting in the smell of human waste in these areas.
The Municipality of Harare has made no effort to communicate with the residents as to when the problem will be solved, if ever it will be. They continue to send monthly bills which the residents continue to pay despite having no services. Burst sewer pipes are never attended to leading to raw sewage flowing all over the roads exposing residents to the risk of waterborne diseases. Residents cannot remember the last time when refuse was collected and every available space has become a dumpsite. These dumpsites are not only sources of unpleasant smells but they have made the neighbourhoods a sorry sight. Potholes and blocked bridges are also a common sight everywhere.
It is against this background that as ROHR, we wish to embark on a robust programme of action to address these challenges as they impinge on the residents’ constitutional right to a clean environment, right to water and consequently, right to life. The municipalities concerned have a constitutional obligation to ensure that they have adequate resources to provide these necessary services to their intended beneficiaries. The residents cannot remain compliant and wait for these constitutional rights to be granted to them by the municipalities, as the latter have clearly shown that they are insensitive to the plight of the residents.
ROHR Demands
• An end to illegal demolition of houses
• An end to water cuts
• Refuse to be collected
• Sewers to be repaired
• Potholes to be filled
• An end to corruption
Zimbabwe Vigil Co-ordinators
The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe. http://www.zimvigil.co.uk
Post published in: News