
A deepening water crisis in Gwanda’s Spitzkop suburb has left a lot of residents vulnerable to disease outbreaks as persistent water shortages and sewer bursts continue to threaten public health.
Ward 10 councillor Siyanda Siziba said the situation has reached a critical stage, with more than 3 000 people in the suburb facing erratic water supplies and constant sewer blockages that have turned streets into breeding grounds for disease.
“We have a huge challenge here at Spitzkop in Gwanda where we face a lot of water woes,” Siziba said.
“When the water comes, it doesn’t reach other areas.
“Then when it does, we experience sewer bursts all over, which create health hazards for the people.
“I have tried addressing this in council meetings — it’s a talk of the day — but when it comes to improvement, there is nothing.”
Siziba said residents were growing increasingly frustrated as their pleas for consistent water supply and proper sanitation systems continue to go unanswered.
The councillor warned that the continued neglect of water and sewer systems could trigger serious health outbreaks.
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“These sewer bursts expose residents to contamination and diseases,” he said.
“It’s a serious public health concern that needs urgent attention.”
Gwanda’s water woes are not new.
For years, residents in suburbs like Spitzkop have struggled with unreliable water supply caused by aging infrastructure, power cuts, and low water pressure in high-lying areas.
The councillor said despite repeated discussions in council meetings, little has been done to provide lasting solutions.
“The issue keeps coming up,” Siziba said.
“We talk about it all the time, but there’s no improvement.
“People are tired of promises — they just want clean, running water and working sewer systems.”
Siziba appealed to the local authority and government partners to treat the situation in Spitzkop as a health emergency.
“We can’t keep waiting while people’s health is at risk,” he said.
“The sewer bursts and lack of water must be addressed urgently before diseases break out.”