Kwekwe activates CPU

THE Kwekwe District Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has been activated as the city gears for suspected cases of typhoid.

The move comes amid reports that the disease has claimed more than eight lives in neighbouring Gweru, with about 1 500 suspected cases.

The infections are said to be on the increase, with fears the disease might spread to neighbouring cities and towns like Kwekwe.

Kwekwe district administrator Mr Fortune Mpungu, who chairs the Kwekwe District CPU, confirmed the activation of the unit in readiness for any cases.

“We have activated our CPU as you are aware, we are only 60 kilometres away from Gweru,” he said.

“We have to take preventive measures rather than act when disaster strikes.”

Mr Mpungu said various stakeholders have been met to map the best way forward and measure the state of preparedness in case the city is affected.

“We are in the process of engaging various stakeholders including our major local authorities like Kwekwe, Redcliff and Zibagwe,” he said.

“That is when we will delegate duties and responsibilities to each and every department that deals with a particular division.”

Mr Mpungu said Redcliff posed the main threat as the town relies on borehole water given the perennial water challenges faced by the local authority. He also said the local authorities will decide on how to deal with vendors and backyard food outlets in Kwekwe, if the need arises.

“We will be left with no option if the need arises, we will have to map the best way of handling them,” he said.

“But that will come from the local authorities if they decide so.”

A major threat, he said, also comes from people who commute to and fro the Midlands capital to conduct different business ventures.

“Gweru and Kwekwe are interconnected. There are some people who stay in Kwekwe and travel to Gweru daily for work and the other way round. That also comes as a danger, hence we ought to be ready for anything,” he said.