Bindura steps up cholera fight

THE Municipality of Bindura has bought additional sewer pipes in case of emergencies, says Town
Clerk Evelyn Madziire.

The council is also working on increasing water supplies and hours of supply to all locations across
the town.

This will go a long way in curbing the spread of cholera around the mining town.
“Rather than starting to run around when there are sewer pipe bursts, we have in stock extra pipes
so that we guard communities against cholera.

“In the event that we hear of bursts, our staff will just take those pipes and replace the damaged
ones within hours,” explained Madziire.

She said the municipality was geared to fight Cholera as evidenced by the arrival of a new refuse
compactor to collect refuse around town. The compactor is supported by two more tractors that are
routinely collecting refuse across town.

The council has also engaged temporary cleaning services from some ten casual workers also in an
effort to maintain a clean environment.

The council is also working on clearing drainage canals and creating culverts in gravel roads to ease
the flow of water as the rainy season approaches.

Bindura has recorded a single cholera case since the disease broke out in February this year.
Cholera cases continue to rise with more than 5 000 cases and 120 suspected deaths recorded
across Zimbabwe, despite efforts by the Government to curb the outbreak.

According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s latest situational report, 64 new suspected
cases have been reported and 43 confirmed deaths. The cases were recorded in Chitungwiza (29),
Buhera (18), Masvingo (8), Gutu (4), Mutare (3) and Bikita (2).

Forty-three districts have reported cases across the country.

“As of October 28, 2023, 104 cases are hospitalised at Chiredzi (1), Zaka (2), Gutu (5) Bikita (3) in
Masvingo province, Buhera (35),Chipinge (14), Mutare Rural (9) Chimanimani (4) Makoni (2) in
Manicaland province, Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital (3) in Harare province, Chitungwiza
(18), UMP (1) in Mashonaland East province, Chegutu (3) Mhondoro (3) in Mashonaland West
province and Bindura (1) in Mashonaland Central Province,” the report reads.

The most affected districts are Buhera, Chipinge, Mutare Rural, Chimanimani, and Makoni in
Manicaland province, while Chitungwiza and Uzumba-Marangwa-Pfungwe in Mashonaland East
have also been ravaged by the disease.

Chegutu and Mhondoro in Mashonaland West province have also had some cholera cases.

Last week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the Government would urgently roll out a
nationwide borehole drilling programme to ensure the nation, particularly 35 000 villages, have
access to a clean, safe drinking solar-powered water points.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by the ingestion of contaminated food or water. It
can be fatal if left untreated, but it is easily preventable by access to safe water and sanitation.