Herald Reporters
PRESIDENT Mugabe has gazetted ministries allocated to Zanu-PF, MDC-T and MDC in terms of the power-sharing agreement signed by the three parties. Section (L) of the Functions and Powers of the President outlined in the power-sharing agreement states that the Head of State shall after consultation with the Vice Presidents, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers, allocate ministerial portfolios in accordance with the agreement.After the assignment of ministries to the parties, President Mugabe is expected to sign the necessary papers for the appointment of the Vice Presidents, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers.After their appointments, MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC counterpart Arthur Mutambara would have three months to find seats in Parliament.The President would then receive nominations of ministerial appointees from the two MDC formations for appointment into Cabinet.Highly placed sources last night said Zanu-PF has already agreed on its line-up of ministers. In the 31-member Cabinet, Zanu-PF — which won the popular vote on March 29 — has 15 ministries, MDC-T 13 while MDC has three.The principals would assign their members in the portfolios.No appointments would, however, be made until the facilitator, former South African president Cde Thabo Mbeki, has come to assist on the outstanding ministry — Finance, which Cde Mugabe provisionally assigned to Zanu-PF, according to the Government Gazette.The assignment of ministries was done in terms of Paragraph (a) of Subsection (1) of Section 31 D of the Constitution.
The ministries are as follows.
1. Defence 2. Home Affairs 3 . Foreign Affairs 4. Transport 5 . Local Government and Urban Development 6 . Mines and Mining Development 7. Lands, Agriculture and Resettlement8. Environment, Natural Resources and Tourism 9. Higher and Tertiary Education 10. Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development 11. Justice and Legal Affairs 12 . Media, Information and Publicity 13. Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development 14. Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment
MDC-T 1. Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs 2. Economic Planning and Investment Promotion 3. Energy and Power Development 4. Health and Child Welfare 5. Labour and Social Welfare6. Water Resources Development and Management 7 . Public Service 8. Sport, Arts and Culture 9. State Enterprise and Parastatals10 . Science and Technology Development 11. Information Communication Technology 12. Public Works 13 . National Housing and Social Amenities
MDC-M1. Regional Integration and International Co-operation2. Education3 . Industry and Commerce NB: Finance is still in dispute.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Skeptics Say Zimbabwe Needs New Elections, Not Power-Sharing
Washington
09 October 2008
Some observers of the stop-start power-sharing process in Zimbabwe, which Movement for Democratic Change founder and prime minister-in-waiting Morgan Tsvangirai declared to be on hold Thursday pending intervention of a mediator, should be considered as no more than a bridge to another and more decisive round of national elections.
Twenty-four days after the long-ruling ZANU-PF party of President Robert Mugabe and both formations of the MDC subscribed to a power-sharing accord on Sept. 15, the cabinet for the envisioned national unity government has yet to be named - not to mention the passage through parliament of the necessary enabling constitutional amendment.
No surprise, then, that some in Zimbabwe and abroad are beginning to wonder if power-sharing will take hold in Harare or if the country will continue its downward slide beset by hyperinflation last officially measured at 231 million percent and hunger widespread.
For an assessment of the power-sharing process, reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe turned to National Constitutional Assembly Chairman Lovemore Madhuku and Africa Policy Institute President Peter Kagwanja in Pretoria, South Africa.
Madhuku said the deadlock was an early warning sign that power-sharing is doomed to fail. The two agreed that only another round of elections can resolve the national crisis.
From Everton, South Africa, Studio 7 listener Norman Mashumi said ZANU-PF and the MDC must put their differences aside to ensure power-sharing does not fail. From Tafara, Harare, Tee Vee said he is skeptical MDC-ZANU-PF power-sharing can work, noting that conditions for ordinary Zimbabweans are fast deteriorating while the politicians bicker.
http://voanews.com/english/Africa/2008-10-09-voa62.cfm
World Food Programme Appeal for Zimbabwe
The UN World Food Programme has said the food crisis in Zimbabwe is reaching critical levels and urgent action is needed to avert a major disaster.
Please click on the link below and see how you too can help.
http://www.wfp.org/english/?ModuleID=137&Key=2955
Please click on the link below and see how you too can help.
http://www.wfp.org/english/?ModuleID=137&Key=2955
Monday, October 6, 2008
Young African Academics Weigh in On Zimbabwe Powersharing Deal and African Democracy
06 October 2008
The Zimbabwe Advocacy Office in Geneva has hosted 17 African students of Human Rights and Good Governance for a presentation on the human rights situation in Zimbabwe and the work of the office. The students, from Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda, South Africa, Malawi, Eritrea and Ghana were on an exposure visit to Geneva-based human rights institutions organised by the German Academic Exchange Service Service and the Arnold Bergstraesser Institute. The group, led by Dr Jan Claudius Völkell, also visited the United Nations Office, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Global Humanitarian Forum and International Service for Human Rights.
Marlon Zakeyo, Human Rights Officer at the Zimbabwe Office, delivered a presentation on the general human rights situation in Zimbabwe and an analysis of the power-sharing deal signed by the country’s major political parties on September 15. Zakeyo underlined that even though the agreement was a positive step in the right direction, after similar events in Kenya the deal perpetuates a dangerous precedent where incumbent governments can subvert the will of the people through using the coercive arms of the state, violence and intimidation. Zimbabwe’s powersharing deal with all its inherent complexities has already developed problems even before take-off as the parties have failed to agree on the make-up of the coalition cabinet. On the ground the suffering of Zimbabweans is increasing and the little hope there was dissipating because of the uncertainty. Over 45% of Zimbabwe’s population is facing starvation, whilst noone is taking firm responsibility for restoring essential public services such as water and electricity. In response to a question, Zakeyo said that justice for victims of political violence is very important for Zimbabwe’s future stability and must not be sacrificed for political expediency. Zimbabwe’s history has been dominated by a century of impunity woven to serve political elites with little regard for victims and survivors.
Participants also agreed that African countries need to focus on developing and strengthening national and regional institutions anchored in the rule of law so that the future is not taken hostage by power-hungry politicians. The fact that the powersharing deal was an African initiative to solve ‘an African problem’ do must not deter Africa from setting higher goals for democratic achievement and holding up the integrity of democratic elections.
The role of South Africa in Zimbabwe’s crisis was also tackled. The main view was that the despite brokering the deal in the end, the South African government’s response was too little too late. South Africa long blocked international action against Robert Mugabe’s government and under-represented the gravity of the crisis in Zimbabwe to the rest of the world. South African civil society and churches would however be remembered for standing solidly with the Zimbabwean people as in the case of the blocking of the Chinese arms ship.
World Student Christian Federation’s Communications Intern, Andrés Lopez also gave an overview of WSCF’s history and work around the world.
© Zimbabwe Human Rights Advocacy Office
WSCF, 2008
Marlon Zakeyo, Human Rights Officer at the Zimbabwe Office, delivered a presentation on the general human rights situation in Zimbabwe and an analysis of the power-sharing deal signed by the country’s major political parties on September 15. Zakeyo underlined that even though the agreement was a positive step in the right direction, after similar events in Kenya the deal perpetuates a dangerous precedent where incumbent governments can subvert the will of the people through using the coercive arms of the state, violence and intimidation. Zimbabwe’s powersharing deal with all its inherent complexities has already developed problems even before take-off as the parties have failed to agree on the make-up of the coalition cabinet. On the ground the suffering of Zimbabweans is increasing and the little hope there was dissipating because of the uncertainty. Over 45% of Zimbabwe’s population is facing starvation, whilst noone is taking firm responsibility for restoring essential public services such as water and electricity. In response to a question, Zakeyo said that justice for victims of political violence is very important for Zimbabwe’s future stability and must not be sacrificed for political expediency. Zimbabwe’s history has been dominated by a century of impunity woven to serve political elites with little regard for victims and survivors.
Participants also agreed that African countries need to focus on developing and strengthening national and regional institutions anchored in the rule of law so that the future is not taken hostage by power-hungry politicians. The fact that the powersharing deal was an African initiative to solve ‘an African problem’ do must not deter Africa from setting higher goals for democratic achievement and holding up the integrity of democratic elections.
The role of South Africa in Zimbabwe’s crisis was also tackled. The main view was that the despite brokering the deal in the end, the South African government’s response was too little too late. South Africa long blocked international action against Robert Mugabe’s government and under-represented the gravity of the crisis in Zimbabwe to the rest of the world. South African civil society and churches would however be remembered for standing solidly with the Zimbabwean people as in the case of the blocking of the Chinese arms ship.
World Student Christian Federation’s Communications Intern, Andrés Lopez also gave an overview of WSCF’s history and work around the world.
© Zimbabwe Human Rights Advocacy Office
WSCF, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Church Leaders Want Truth Commission
Saturday, 27 September 2008 19:52
http://www.thezimbabwestandard.com/local/18995-church-leaders-want-truth-commission.html
Church leaders want a truth and reconciliation commission as one of several ways of cementing the recently signed political settlement between the country’s main political rivals.
Christian Alliance, a coalition of churches involved in human rights advocacy at the height of Zimbabwe’s political crisis, said it had already set up nationwide structures to spearhead the national healing process.
But Raymond Motsi, the alliance’s spokesperson, said national healing would not be possible without full disclosure of what happened, followed by some form of justice.
He said churches favoured a truth, justice and reconciliation commission modelled along the lines of one established to deal with political crimes in post-apartheid South Africa to achieve true reconciliation.
"Churches are saying the process should start once a new inclusive government is put in place," Motsi said. "That should mark the beginning of the transitional justice system."
The ruling Zanu PF and the two formations of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) signed an agreement to form an inclusive government on September 15 following a violent election season.
The agreement called for the promotion of a national healing process but so far the parties are not agreed on what form it should take.
Prime Minister-designate Morgan Tsvangirai recently said senior members of Zanu PF should face prosecution for their role in human rights violations against opposition supporters in successive elections.
He said President Robert Mugabe would not face prosecution.
On the other hand, Professor Arthur Mutambara of the small MDC formation said the new dispensation should avoid "retributive justice".
Sections of civic society who have dismissed the power-sharing deal as elitist, say they prefer a consultative process to decide how Zimbabweans want to manage the reconciliation process.
Motsi said ordinary people not political parties should decide whether the healing process should include disclosure of crimes dating back to the 1980s atrocities in the southern region or that it be confined to the political upheavals that began in 2000.
This process should not be left to the political parties alone," he said. "It should not be elitist and should not be a political decision between Zanu PF and the MDC.
"It should not be legislated to the Zimbabweans."
Christian Alliance programmes co-ordinator Barbra Bhebhe said church leaders were being equipped with counselling skills so that they could take charge of the reconciliation process.
She said the new government should be committed to ensuring there would be no repeat of the violence.
During the course of the negotiations led by former South African President Thabo Mbeki, leaders of the three parties issued a statement saying all sides were responsible for the violence.
But human rights groups say Zanu PF militias were responsible for most of the violence that left over 100 MDC supporters dead, more than 5 000 injured and 120 000 others displaced.
Meanwhile, Christian Alliance has set aside October 5 as a day of prayer and has called on all politicians to attend church services in their areas.
The prayers, the group said, were meant to strengthen the new government and also to pray for a better rainfall season.
By Nqobani Ndlovu
http://www.thezimbabwestandard.com/local/18995-church-leaders-want-truth-commission.html
Church leaders want a truth and reconciliation commission as one of several ways of cementing the recently signed political settlement between the country’s main political rivals.
Christian Alliance, a coalition of churches involved in human rights advocacy at the height of Zimbabwe’s political crisis, said it had already set up nationwide structures to spearhead the national healing process.
But Raymond Motsi, the alliance’s spokesperson, said national healing would not be possible without full disclosure of what happened, followed by some form of justice.
He said churches favoured a truth, justice and reconciliation commission modelled along the lines of one established to deal with political crimes in post-apartheid South Africa to achieve true reconciliation.
"Churches are saying the process should start once a new inclusive government is put in place," Motsi said. "That should mark the beginning of the transitional justice system."
The ruling Zanu PF and the two formations of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) signed an agreement to form an inclusive government on September 15 following a violent election season.
The agreement called for the promotion of a national healing process but so far the parties are not agreed on what form it should take.
Prime Minister-designate Morgan Tsvangirai recently said senior members of Zanu PF should face prosecution for their role in human rights violations against opposition supporters in successive elections.
He said President Robert Mugabe would not face prosecution.
On the other hand, Professor Arthur Mutambara of the small MDC formation said the new dispensation should avoid "retributive justice".
Sections of civic society who have dismissed the power-sharing deal as elitist, say they prefer a consultative process to decide how Zimbabweans want to manage the reconciliation process.
Motsi said ordinary people not political parties should decide whether the healing process should include disclosure of crimes dating back to the 1980s atrocities in the southern region or that it be confined to the political upheavals that began in 2000.
This process should not be left to the political parties alone," he said. "It should not be elitist and should not be a political decision between Zanu PF and the MDC.
"It should not be legislated to the Zimbabweans."
Christian Alliance programmes co-ordinator Barbra Bhebhe said church leaders were being equipped with counselling skills so that they could take charge of the reconciliation process.
She said the new government should be committed to ensuring there would be no repeat of the violence.
During the course of the negotiations led by former South African President Thabo Mbeki, leaders of the three parties issued a statement saying all sides were responsible for the violence.
But human rights groups say Zanu PF militias were responsible for most of the violence that left over 100 MDC supporters dead, more than 5 000 injured and 120 000 others displaced.
Meanwhile, Christian Alliance has set aside October 5 as a day of prayer and has called on all politicians to attend church services in their areas.
The prayers, the group said, were meant to strengthen the new government and also to pray for a better rainfall season.
By Nqobani Ndlovu
Zimbabwe and Kenya Map Paths to Peace
26 Sep 2008 — 9:00
last modified: 29 Sep 2008 — 12:49
World YWCA
last modified: 29 Sep 2008 — 12:49
World YWCA
Hon. Prof. Maria Nzomo, Kenyan Ambassador to Switzerland
“We can begin to look at a way forward. We can’t continue to allow Africa to be regarded as the ‘Dark Continent’ or ‘hopeless Africa’,” stressed Hon. Prof. Maria Nzomo, Kenyan Ambassador to Switzerland who was a panellist at a lunch discussion on Zimbabwe advocacy and solidarity organised by the World YWCA and the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF).
Nzomo, along with Arnold Tsunga, Africa Programme Director for the International Commission of Jurists, was invited to talk on ' The Political Settlement and Transition in Zimbabwe - Lessons from Kenya' at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva on September 24.
Despite the conflict that broke out in Kenya and Zimbabwe over election results, Nzomo believes there is a way forward for both countries. "Kenya and Zimbabwe deserve an opportunity. There was goodwill to move forward and to work together to bridge their differences. Zimbabwe can move back to the Zimbabwe we used to know in the 80s," she said.
Nzomo explained the link between the Kenyan and Zimbabwean political situation. " After the 2007 elections, we experienced presidential election contentions. After the winner was declared there was unhappiness in the country that the election was not free and fair. The situation deteriorated into serious social unrest. It cost many lives and large numbers of displaced people. Property and resources were destroyed."
In the aftermath of the post election violence, Nzomo said the worst effect was the psychological consequences to the people of Kenya. "People's sense of well-being, physical and mental was affected by the crisis. The damage done in the short time was mind-boggling."
Looking forward, Nzomo believes trust and healing will be key to a peaceful Zimbabwe. "It is important for the leaders of Zimbabwe to restore trust. They really have to say they are serious about sharing power and be serious."
As a political scientist, Nzomo highlighted that the people of Zimbabwe need to remember the power lies with them. "In the future, Zimbabwe needs some sort of structure in society where people can force rulers to lead democratically. People are the foundation of society. Politicians are nothing without people."
Since the recent power sharing agreement was signed in Zimbabwe, the world's attention has turned away from the country with many people believing the political crisis has finished. But it is only the beginning of a long process. " The difference between the political agreements in Kenya and Zimbabwe is that Kenya's was given a legal affect. Unless the agreement in Zimbabwe becomes part and parcel of the existing constitution it means it is only a political agreement; a gentlemen's agreement with no legal force," Nzomo pointed out.
Tsunga also expressed the concerns Zimbabweans have with the power sharing agreement that sees Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change and an MDC splinter group led by Arthur Mutambara, formerly in opposition, taking control of 109 of the 210-seat parliament and 16 of the 31-member Cabinet. "The initial reaction to the agreement was of cautious optimism. It was not viewed as an end but instead the beginning of a possibility to set up a system with a rule of law."
Zimbabweans can be excused for being cautious. The violence that followed the March 27 election was of staggering proportions. " The systematic violence is still happening and the militias that were set up earlier in the year are still in force, " said Tsunga. " The humanitarian issues we are now hearing is that people are still dying in large numbers. This is because there is an absence of food; there are large numbers of internally displaced people and very high unemployment. There is no access to medication. We are hearing reports of girl-headed families and people living with HIV are saying, 'Food is more important to us than ARVs'.
Tsunga is also wary of the recent power sharing agreement in Zimbabwe. " The models of governments of national unity are dangerous. They belittle and undermine effective people participation in the process of democracy, " he said.
As the panellists reflected on the weeks ahead, Nzomo highlighted the crucial role civil society plays in the political climate of Kenya. " Kenya has a vibrant civil society that participates actively in the political process. Arguably, they themselves become political players. Leaders are forced to be transparent."
Tsunga did not harbour such positive thoughts on transparency and accountability from the political leaders of Zimbabwe. " People are not consulted. There are a few people driving the current political situation so there will be no transparency."
Tsunga acknowledged that Zimbabwean civil society had been active before the recent agreement but a fear of throwing the country back into instability is currently keeping them silent.
Silence is something the World YWCA cannot be accused of. When violence broke out in Kenya and Zimbabwe respectively, the YWCA movement responded with strong calls for an end to the violence and a return to peace and democracy in both countries. The lunch discussions have been an initiative of the World YWCA and the WSCF as both organisations continue their advocacy work for peace with justice in Zimbabwe.
As the lunch discussion came to a close, Nzomo reminded everyone of the famous quote that reflects the fragile nature of politics. " In politics, there are no permanent friends. There are no permanent enemies. There are only permanent interests."
“We can begin to look at a way forward. We can’t continue to allow Africa to be regarded as the ‘Dark Continent’ or ‘hopeless Africa’,” stressed Hon. Prof. Maria Nzomo, Kenyan Ambassador to Switzerland who was a panellist at a lunch discussion on Zimbabwe advocacy and solidarity organised by the World YWCA and the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF).
Nzomo, along with Arnold Tsunga, Africa Programme Director for the International Commission of Jurists, was invited to talk on ' The Political Settlement and Transition in Zimbabwe - Lessons from Kenya' at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva on September 24.
Despite the conflict that broke out in Kenya and Zimbabwe over election results, Nzomo believes there is a way forward for both countries. "Kenya and Zimbabwe deserve an opportunity. There was goodwill to move forward and to work together to bridge their differences. Zimbabwe can move back to the Zimbabwe we used to know in the 80s," she said.
Nzomo explained the link between the Kenyan and Zimbabwean political situation. " After the 2007 elections, we experienced presidential election contentions. After the winner was declared there was unhappiness in the country that the election was not free and fair. The situation deteriorated into serious social unrest. It cost many lives and large numbers of displaced people. Property and resources were destroyed."
In the aftermath of the post election violence, Nzomo said the worst effect was the psychological consequences to the people of Kenya. "People's sense of well-being, physical and mental was affected by the crisis. The damage done in the short time was mind-boggling."
Looking forward, Nzomo believes trust and healing will be key to a peaceful Zimbabwe. "It is important for the leaders of Zimbabwe to restore trust. They really have to say they are serious about sharing power and be serious."
As a political scientist, Nzomo highlighted that the people of Zimbabwe need to remember the power lies with them. "In the future, Zimbabwe needs some sort of structure in society where people can force rulers to lead democratically. People are the foundation of society. Politicians are nothing without people."
Since the recent power sharing agreement was signed in Zimbabwe, the world's attention has turned away from the country with many people believing the political crisis has finished. But it is only the beginning of a long process. " The difference between the political agreements in Kenya and Zimbabwe is that Kenya's was given a legal affect. Unless the agreement in Zimbabwe becomes part and parcel of the existing constitution it means it is only a political agreement; a gentlemen's agreement with no legal force," Nzomo pointed out.
Tsunga also expressed the concerns Zimbabweans have with the power sharing agreement that sees Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change and an MDC splinter group led by Arthur Mutambara, formerly in opposition, taking control of 109 of the 210-seat parliament and 16 of the 31-member Cabinet. "The initial reaction to the agreement was of cautious optimism. It was not viewed as an end but instead the beginning of a possibility to set up a system with a rule of law."
Zimbabweans can be excused for being cautious. The violence that followed the March 27 election was of staggering proportions. " The systematic violence is still happening and the militias that were set up earlier in the year are still in force, " said Tsunga. " The humanitarian issues we are now hearing is that people are still dying in large numbers. This is because there is an absence of food; there are large numbers of internally displaced people and very high unemployment. There is no access to medication. We are hearing reports of girl-headed families and people living with HIV are saying, 'Food is more important to us than ARVs'.
Tsunga is also wary of the recent power sharing agreement in Zimbabwe. " The models of governments of national unity are dangerous. They belittle and undermine effective people participation in the process of democracy, " he said.
As the panellists reflected on the weeks ahead, Nzomo highlighted the crucial role civil society plays in the political climate of Kenya. " Kenya has a vibrant civil society that participates actively in the political process. Arguably, they themselves become political players. Leaders are forced to be transparent."
Tsunga did not harbour such positive thoughts on transparency and accountability from the political leaders of Zimbabwe. " People are not consulted. There are a few people driving the current political situation so there will be no transparency."
Tsunga acknowledged that Zimbabwean civil society had been active before the recent agreement but a fear of throwing the country back into instability is currently keeping them silent.
Silence is something the World YWCA cannot be accused of. When violence broke out in Kenya and Zimbabwe respectively, the YWCA movement responded with strong calls for an end to the violence and a return to peace and democracy in both countries. The lunch discussions have been an initiative of the World YWCA and the WSCF as both organisations continue their advocacy work for peace with justice in Zimbabwe.
As the lunch discussion came to a close, Nzomo reminded everyone of the famous quote that reflects the fragile nature of politics. " In politics, there are no permanent friends. There are no permanent enemies. There are only permanent interests."
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Health Crisis - Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights
Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights
Urgent Action Needed to Address Water Shortages and Breakdown in Sanitation
19 September 2008
A serious health crisis currently looms over Zimbabwe's urban areas due to a severe shortage of running water in most areas. The Zimbabwe National Water Authority's (ZINWA) failure to treat and pump adequate supplies of water has left most urban homes dry and forced residents to rely on unsafe supplies of water. This coupled with a breakdown in the sanitation system (burst sewage pipes and lack of refuse collection and proper disposal) is threatening the health of millions on Zimbabweans.
The new Government must address this crisis as a matter of urgency. It is a matter which cannot wait for resolution of differences or 'sticking points'. Public service provision has been inadequate for several years and requires urgent and comprehensive remedial action.
Access to safe drinking water and to adequate sanitation are human rights and not privileges of the Zimbabwean population. They are determinants of health which if not made available can result in outbreaks of diarrhoea, cholera and dysentery that are life threatening. Lives have already been lost to cholera in Chitungwiza and health centres in Harare and Bulawayo are burdened by numerous cases of diarrhoea on a daily basis. It is highly likely that the number of deaths in Chitungwiza, currently reported at 12 individuals, is much higher, and that this is but the tip of an iceberg of much more morbidity. This has not been communicated to the public.
Outbreaks of cholera at any time are symptomatic of serious structural problems within the system of public works. They are more common when rains have resulted in flooding or overload of drainage systems. An outbreak in the middle of the dry season is particularly disturbing.
The public has a right to be fully informed and updated on:
(1) what measures are being taken to address the water and sanitation crisis and
(2) what measures are in place to prevent and manage outbreaks of disease.
It is not adequate for the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare to respond to disease outbreak only after it has occurred. It is paramount that it works in conjunction with other ministries concerned, such as that responsible for water resources, and ZINWA, to ensure that disease is prevented and that Zimbabwean's right to the highest attainable state of physical and mental wellbeing is respected.
ZADHR calls for an urgent, coordinated and comprehensive response from the new Government to this crisis in water and sanitation.
Urgent Action Needed to Address Water Shortages and Breakdown in Sanitation
19 September 2008
A serious health crisis currently looms over Zimbabwe's urban areas due to a severe shortage of running water in most areas. The Zimbabwe National Water Authority's (ZINWA) failure to treat and pump adequate supplies of water has left most urban homes dry and forced residents to rely on unsafe supplies of water. This coupled with a breakdown in the sanitation system (burst sewage pipes and lack of refuse collection and proper disposal) is threatening the health of millions on Zimbabweans.
The new Government must address this crisis as a matter of urgency. It is a matter which cannot wait for resolution of differences or 'sticking points'. Public service provision has been inadequate for several years and requires urgent and comprehensive remedial action.
Access to safe drinking water and to adequate sanitation are human rights and not privileges of the Zimbabwean population. They are determinants of health which if not made available can result in outbreaks of diarrhoea, cholera and dysentery that are life threatening. Lives have already been lost to cholera in Chitungwiza and health centres in Harare and Bulawayo are burdened by numerous cases of diarrhoea on a daily basis. It is highly likely that the number of deaths in Chitungwiza, currently reported at 12 individuals, is much higher, and that this is but the tip of an iceberg of much more morbidity. This has not been communicated to the public.
Outbreaks of cholera at any time are symptomatic of serious structural problems within the system of public works. They are more common when rains have resulted in flooding or overload of drainage systems. An outbreak in the middle of the dry season is particularly disturbing.
The public has a right to be fully informed and updated on:
(1) what measures are being taken to address the water and sanitation crisis and
(2) what measures are in place to prevent and manage outbreaks of disease.
It is not adequate for the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare to respond to disease outbreak only after it has occurred. It is paramount that it works in conjunction with other ministries concerned, such as that responsible for water resources, and ZINWA, to ensure that disease is prevented and that Zimbabwean's right to the highest attainable state of physical and mental wellbeing is respected.
ZADHR calls for an urgent, coordinated and comprehensive response from the new Government to this crisis in water and sanitation.
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