Following a recent ban on vending in the central business district, Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) has called on City of Harare to address the major drivers of typhoid rather than concentrating on window dressing measures such as the war on vendors.
The residents group charged that declaring war on vendors is only scratching the surface of the problems that led to typhoid outbreak charging that that Harare was failing to deliver on its mandate.
“Unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation and hygiene services are among the key drivers of typhoid and need urgent attention if the typhoid outbreak is to be contained.
“The situation in Harare is compounded by the fact that over the years, residents have endured erratic water supplies while refuse collection is generally poor,” reads CHRA statement.
The organization added that erratic water supplies in Harare have forced residents to resort to using water from unprotected sources, exposing them to diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
“Service delivery remains poor in Harare and by declaring war on “unregulated vending” the Harare City Council is only scratching the surface of the problems leading to the typhoid outbreak in Harare,” added CHRA.
The organization implored Harare City Council to direct more of its energy towards service delivery.
“Ensuring that citizens have access to clean, safe and portable water, providing adequate ablution facilities for the general public and improving drainage systems in the CBD as well as residential areas, improving on refuse collection in the CBD and residential areas as well as provision of adequate bins in the CBD and implementing good waste management plans,” reads the statement.
