Gokwe appeals for safe water

VILLAGERS in Gokwe under Chief Nemangwe have appealed to Government to assist them address water woes in their area, amid revelations that most boreholes are pumping out salty water not safe for drinking.

Chief Nemangwe, Mr Mika Katyakavazungu, said the type of water found in the area needed special treatment before drinking. He said the salty water had long term effects of affecting the people’s teeth.

“If you realise, most people from Kamhororo and Masakadza area have brownish teeth and it has been discovered that this was being caused by the salty water,” said Chief Nemangwe. “Even if you try to boil it before drinking, it doesn’t help.”

Chief Nemangwe said officials from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, together with those from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), visited the area to do samples in 2011.

“The team of specialists said then that water from our boreholes had too much acid and promised to assist,” he said. “They said there was a special chemical which was needed to treat the water before it could be consumed, but hinted that the type of chemical was very expensive.

“Since 2011, nothing has been done to assist us in this regard.”

People who consume the water are left with a condition which looks like they have gingivitis infection.