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NewsDay

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Kadoma in water dire straits

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KADOMA Municipality says it requires about $15 million to upgrade and rehabilitate its ageing water and sewage reticulation system.

KADOMA Municipality says it requires about $15 million to upgrade and rehabilitate its ageing water and sewage reticulation system.

Report by Blessed Mhlanga

Mayor Peter Matambo told NewsDay on Monday that the city was experiencing serious water shortages due to its ageing pipes and attributed the current typhoid outbreak to shortage of water in most high-lying areas as a result of persistent pipe bursts.

To date, the city has recorded eight cases of typhoid amid fears the numbers could increase as residents were reportedly fetching water from unprotected sources.

“Only 65%  of the city has access to portable water. Others have to rely on borehole and others on unsafe water sources which are a great risk especially in the face of the typhoid outbreak,” said Matambo.

Kadoma, with a population of 35 000 residents, has become highly dependent on borehole water following the near collapse of its water pumping capacity at Claw Dam.

“Our population has grown massively and our infrastructure cannot cope. We need to overhaul and upgrade the water and sewer reticulation system and for this we need a little over $15 million in new capital, which at the moment we cannot raise,” said Matambo.

He said they have since appealed for funding from the government and the donor community.

“The ministry is aware of our position and so are donors. We have information that some donors have pledged $36 million which will be used in six cities including Kadoma and we hope that money will be provided soon,” he said.

Kadoma collects less than $400 000 in revenue monthly and spends more than 70% of the money collected on salaries and wages, contrary to Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo’s directive that local authorities should spend 70% of their monthly revenue on service delivery and 30% on salaries.