The Herald

Council decommissions two boreholes

Mr Chideme

Abigail Mawonde Herald Correspondent
Harare City Council has decommissioned two boreholes in Glen View after the water tested positive for Vibrio cholerae, a cholera causing bacteria.

City corporate communications manager Mr Michael Chideme confirmed the development in an interview with The Herald yesterday.

“Yes, I can confirm that we have decommissioned two boreholes in Glen View because we suspected they were the epicentre of the spread of cholera in the area,” he said.

“The water was positive when it was tested for the bacterium.”

Mr Chideme said the development was part of the measures that the Harare City Council was implementing to curb the spread of cholera.

He said repairs to damaged sewer pipes was being done.
“Besides decommissioning of boreholes, we are also replacing all collapsed sewer pipes in Glen View and Budiriro for a start, then we will soon move to other areas,” said Mr Chideme. “The work has already started and is in progress.”

Government has since activated the national response mechanism to combat the dual outbreaks of cholera and typhoid.

The national response taskforce comprises of representatives from the Ministries of Health and Child Care, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Defence and War Veterans and the Department of Civil Protection, local authorities and other inter-agency representatives.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care is coordinating the national response, while City of Harare is coordinating on the outbreak in Harare.

Chitungwiza, Midlands, Manicaland, Masvingo and Mashonaland Central provinces have since reported sporadic cases of cholera — all traced back to Harare.