Harare, Zimbabwe – In a move to calm growing public concerns, Harare’s Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume, has affirmed that the water supplied to homes by the City Council is indeed safe for consumption.
This assurance from ZiMetro News comes after Mayor Mafume appeared before the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) on Thursday.
The Mayor’s appearance before the ZHRC was to address allegations concerning violations of environmental rights and widespread worries regarding the quality of water provided to Harare residents. He was accompanied by Acting Town Clerk Engineer Phakamile Mabhena Moyo and Acting Director of Water Engineer Richard Kunyandini. The three officials had been summoned by the ZHRC last month to respond to inquiries about alleged infringements of residents’ rights to clean water, proper environmental management, and the city’s inadequate sewer infrastructure.
Following the closed-door session with the Commission, Mayor Mafume spoke to the media, aiming to alleviate public anxieties. He emphasized that the municipal water undergoes treatment and is safe for drinking.
“We were at the Commission discussing issues related to the supply of Harare water and the challenges thereof,” Mafume stated. “We addressed the water quality. Harare water quality is up to standard.”
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He further elaborated on the rigorous testing procedures, explaining, “It is tested according to organisational standards by ISO. We also test our water at Morton Jaffray at 30-minute intervals, and it is also tested by City Health and other independent laboratories.”
Mayor Mafume concluded by reassuring both the Commission and the general public, asserting, “Harare water is safe to drink and is the difference between us and diseases. In fact, many of the people who sell bottled water simply sell Harare water that they filter again.”
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