Women asked to provide sex for water in Mabvuku and Tafara

Women in Mabvuku and Tafara areas have opened up about sexual abuse at the hands of water barons. This was revealed at a meeting held with residents in Mabvuku on Monday. The water dialogue forum was attended by members of the Harare residents association, community water alliance and women and law southern Africa. Women alleged that those volunteering to supply water with bowsers have been in the habit of asking for sexual favours. After refusing and not yielding to the demands, the women said their areas are no longer getting any water.

Water shortages have been a thorn in the flesh for residents in these areas. Some of the women who opened up stated,” The drivers and volunteers of water bowsers are openly asking for sex in order to supply us with water, we refused and are no longer supplying our section with water”. The shocking revelations have been a cause for concern. A police officer present at the meeting encouraged women to come forward and report such cases at their victim friendly unit.

The councillor for one of the affected areas councillor Wutaunashe of ward 46 laid the blame on Harare City council for frustrating efforts to provide more water sources. He also claimed that the city fathers were stalling a project in which a reliable patner is willing to rehabilitate 36 boreholes and sink four more in Mabvuku. He said they are failing to provide the patner with details hence he will pull out by Friday if such is not done.

Water shortages are common in mind at parts of Harare. City council has been failing to provide clean water or any water in some areas owing to a number for factors. People have to queue for hours on end to obtain the precious liquid. Women have become victims as they have to walk during the night at times in order to source for water.