By Esnart Chingwalu

Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has strongly accused the authorities responsible for provision of water in Zomba district, for dirty water which the residents have been receiving since Friday last week.

Speaking to Yoneco online, following complaints by residents in the district, HRDC chairperson for the Eastern Region, Madalitso Banda, said the development has put many people from the district at health risk.

Banda said: “We see this as very unfortunate considering that this is also happening when water tariffs have just been increased.”

One of the affected residents from the location of ST Mary’s, Thoko Bodza, pleaded with water board authorities to urgently address the matter.

Meanwhile, Southern Region Water Board (SRWB), has admitted that since the 12th of December 2021, people from Zomba district have been receiving poor quality water.

According to a statement issued by SRWB management, this has arisen from the change of the water intake point which the Board has affected due to the low water levels in the Mulunguzi DAM and the routine water tank cleaning exercise which is currently in progress.

The management has further apologized and assured the people that the water is safe for consumption and that the present situation does not cause any harm.