Councilor counsels locals over cholera

Politicizing of cholera awareness by residents of Kabwe's David Ramusho Ward has irked area councillor, Patrick Mumba.

Mr Mumba said most people in the ward have politicized the exercise which is aimed at preventing the spread of cholera in the area.

The area has not yet recorded any case since the outbreak of the epidemic in October last year.

The civic leader said it was saddening to note that 50% of the over 11,000 population in David Ramusho ward were viewing the Presidential directive of improving sanitation and hygiene to prevent the spread of cholera as political.

Mr Mumba said those shunning the cholera awareness have gone as far as accusing him and his group of ward committee members branch chairpersons of being paid to carry out the exercise. "It is unfortunate that the ongoing cholera awareness exercise which we embarked on shortly after the Presidential directive in David Ramush Ward is being politicized by the residents. We are being accused of being paid to carry out the exercise which is not the case," said Mr Mumba.

He however said other residents have been cooperative because they have heard in the media about the markets, famous eating places and bars that have been closed for failure to meet the sanitary and hygiene conditions. Mr Mumba said church leaders have also been sensitized to urge their church members on the need to improve sanitation and hygiene at household level.