The death toll from cholera in Zimbabwe has risen to 746, with 15 572 suspected cases reported across the southern African country, according to the latest figures released by the UN on Wednesday.

The capital Harare is the worst-affected district with 189 deaths and 7653 suspected cases recorded as of 9 December, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement.

The latest data suggest that at least 157 more people have been killed by the disease since 5 December, when the death toll was reported as 589.

The increase came even as Zimbabwe's information minister on Tuesday insisted that the epidemic was under control.

"The cholera situation is under control," Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said. "We have enough chemicals to purify the water. We have got enough foreign currency to buy pipes" to mend sanitation lines, he added.