Nompumelelo Damba
MABUTHWENI residents in Bulawayo have launched an appeal to the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to deploy water bowsers to the high density suburb after the local authority introduced water cuts in the city.
In a statement, the city`s Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube said the planned water cuts were meant to normalize the Magwegwe Reservoir level.
The water level at the reservoir depleted to critical levels due to erratic pumping from the Nyamandlovu Acquifer which was affected by electricity supply disruptions.
According to the local industry, the water cuts will see some suburbs going as long as 10 hours without running water.
According to the schedule, Mabuthweni residents will receive water supplies Friday to Sunday.
“Our toilets are congested because more than four families share a single toilet and the situation has become worse since the council has decided to cut water supplies,” said Conductor Masuku, a resident in Mabuthweni.
Ms Beauty Tshuma, told CITE that they are sometimes forced to collect water from unsafe sources.
The residents fear that this might expose them to water borne diseases such as Typhoid and Cholera as more than 20 people share a single toilet and water source.
The local authority has not indicated when the situation will revert back to normal.
