Mnangagwa bans church gatherings in places with no borehole water
By Staff Reporter
President Emmerson Mnangagwa banned all church congregations convened in premises which have no solar powered boreholes in measures aimed at controlling the spread of cholera.
This was revealed during Tuesday’s post-cabinet media briefing in Harare by Information Minister Jenfan Muswere.
Muswere said, “The Acting Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable Paul Mavima updated Cabinet on the national cholera outbreak response.
“Zimbabwe’s cumulative suspected cholera cases are 29 144.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care continues to conduct integrated training in case management, surveillance, infection prevention and control, and social mobilization for Midlands, Masvingo, Mashonaland Central, and Mashonaland West Provinces in order to augment staff already trained.
“Known hotspots are being targeted with community awareness and the deployment of oral rehydration points and establishment of cholera treatment camps. Furthermore, the Ministry is working with Apostolic Women Empowerment Trust in training Interfaith Leaders in Manicaland and Masvingo Provinces, with the objective to strengthen actions to address collaborative and collective initiatives in the response to the cholera and polio outbreaks.
“Cabinet noted with concern that some churches continue to gather in places without safe water or sanitation facilities. His Excellency the President, Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, has since directed that solarized water facilities and borehole should be installed in order to ensure the provision of safe water and sanitation at Karuyana Shrine among other sites.
“In light of the impending Easter Holidays, Cabinet has directed the Ministry of Health and Child Care to intensify monitoring and supervision of all gatherings in order to minimize the spread of cholera.
“Cabinet further directed that, going forward, no church gatherings must take place until church leaders install solar powered boreholes or bush pump boreholes as well as sanitation facilities. All gatherings must obtain prior clearance and should be supervised by health authorities.”
