15 people live in one room in Chiredzi

TATENDA CHIKARA IN MASVINGO

At least 15people are  staying in one room in Majaradha residential area in Ward 4 , Chiredzi, Masvingo Province, amid fears it  has become a health ticking time bomb which can explode any time, Business Time can report.

Resident who spoke to this publication said the situation was dire as Majaradha are single men’s quarters.

“Our concern is that we are staying overcrowded at our houses. These Majaradha houses have become a death trap. We are in dire need for assistance maybe allocation of stands,” a resident of Majaradha who preferred anonymity said.

Another resident said: “We kindly ask for assistance at Majaradha, we stay together males and females. A single room lives about 15-20 people. So, if  there is an outbreak no one will be left out here. We will all perish.”

Initially, Majaradha houses were meant for those not yet married.

But, due to vulnerability, people ended up having their children.

The residents are now overcrowded, posing a health hazard.

The councillor for Ward 4, Liberty Macharaga said the situation has deteriorated in the residential area.

He said council was working on a budget to service the area despite residents not affording to pay for their services.

“The most vulnerable people stay in Majaradha. The most numbers of disabled persons stay in Majaradha. So, they find it difficult to pay rentals to council but we are working on a budget as council to service the area although the council is not getting anything,” Macharaga said.

He added: “The council also has another plan. The plan basically is to ease the overwhelming numbers at Majaradha complementing the efforts by the government through the affordable housing scheme which were initiated by his Excellency(President Emmerson Mnangagwa).”

Macharaga said water has been availed. Council, he said, has appealed to other players to find a better solution to the residents’ plight.