Emakhandeni residents forced to buy water as crisis soars

Emakhandeni councillor in Bulawayo has raised concerns that some residents are now capitalising on the city’s water crisis to make profits by selling their water reserves to those who would have exhausted their water stock.

This comes to light following reports that due to the scarcity of boreholes in the suburb, council taps are the only source of the precious liquid and those who cannot sustain the consumption of their reserves until restoration of supply are left desperate.

Councillor Nduna Dladla said he has received reports that there are unidentified people who have started selling water to Emakhandeni residents.

“I heard reports that some residents of Emakhandeni are demanding $1 per bucket of water from fellow residents,” said Dladla.

Meanwhile, residents in the suburb have also highlighted that the surrounding bush areas has become a stinking place as some people are using them to relieve themselves.

Chairperson of the residents committee Billy Ncube said residents whose houses are overlooking bushy areas are complaining of the smell of waste that is coming from those areas.

“As a result of water shortage, most residents here have resorted to defecating in bush areas at night, a move which is polluting our environment,” said Ncube.

Another resident whose house is overlooking the bush, Filina Lunga said these days they stay indoors with windows closed as a result of the smell coming from the bush.

Five months ago, Bulawayo was hit by a serious water shortage which prompted the local authority to resort to a 96 hour water shedding scheme.