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Daniel Chigunwe Correspondent
MVURWI Town Council has allayed fears of a cholera outbreak following the decommissioning of the main borehole that supplies water to the business community and residential areas last week.

Water samples tested positive for bacterial contamination.

Council, Zimbabwe National Water Authority and the Ministry of Health and Child Care shut down the borehole at Mvurwi Bus Terminus last Thursday.

In an interview, Mvurwi town secretary, Dr Sheila Nyakudya said the move was a precautionary measure to combat the spread of cholera, given that the borehole was already contaminated with the bacteria.

“First, let me make it clear that we have not yet recorded any cases of cholera here. The recent closure of the borehole was a precautionary measure after we discovered that the borehole was already contaminated posing a serious health hazard to the community.

“It is more hazardous especially considering that the whole vending and business community has been using that borehole as the main source of water after many of the businesspeople and residents had their water disconnected by ZINWA over debts,” said Dr Nyakudya.

About 60 percent of the Mvurwi population has been using borehole water after failing to foot ZINWA bills with businessman, Mr Shingirayi Gatsi, saying he has been relying on the borehole since 2007.

Ward 28 councillor, Clr Fanuel Chigonero and the Mvurwi Residents Association said they would engage ZINWA on how best to assist the community now that the only source of water had been shut down.

“We will engage ZINWA so that we can come up with a win-win situation, which will see water authorities gaining something, while the community gets water supplies.

“Several households, which have been depending on the borehole have nowhere to get water and other businesses have already been affected because of the water crisis,” said Clr Chigonero.

An official with ZINWA in Mvurwi, Mr Charles Magwenzi, said they were prepared to engage residents on the best way forward.

“We will sit down with all stakeholders involved and see how we can address the situation,” he said.

However, Mvurwi Residents Association secretary Mr Emmanuel Nkambala castigated the council’s move to close the borehole at the same time failing to come up with alternative means for people to get water.

“The closure of the borehole has further worsened the situation especially considering that it was the main supply of water to the majority of residents whose supplies were disconnected by ZINWA a couple of years ago. We call upon all stakeholders to come on the table and address this crisis.”