Harare Residents Trust Warns of Unbearable Hardship as Deepening Water Scarcity Grips Zimbabwe’s Capital

The HRT warns of the extreme impact on women and children as Harare’s water crisis deepens, despite new rehabilitation plans for Morton Jaffray.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 8:05 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from NewsDay Live

Vulnerable Groups Bear the Brunt of Utility Failure

The Harare Residents Trust has officially raised an alarm regarding the severe disruption of daily life caused by the worsening water scarcity in the capital. According to the advocacy group, the ongoing failure of the municipal water system is imposing an unbearable burden on residents, particularly those in vulnerable demographics. The organization noted that young girls are frequently forced to miss school to secure water for their households, while mothers are spending excessive hours in queues at boreholes instead of engaging in productive work to provide for their families.

Deteriorating Infrastructure and Safety Concerns

Most suburbs in Harare and the surrounding metropolitan areas have been left without consistent tap water for several days or, in some cases, weeks. This persistent shortage has compelled a significant portion of the population to rely on private boreholes and other potentially unsafe water sources. The trust emphasized that the lack of access to a basic necessity not only strips the elderly of their dignity but also creates a public health risk as residents are forced to utilize unverified supplies to meet their fundamental hygiene and domestic needs.

Public-Private Partnership Targeted at Treatment Plant

In response to the growing outcry, city authorities have announced that measures are currently underway to stabilize the distribution network. Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume confirmed that an upgrade project is being implemented through a public-private partnership involving the city council, the Zimbabwean government, and Helcraw Water. The primary focus of this collaboration is the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant, which remains the critical hub for the city’s treated water output.