Transformer theft worsens Byo’s water problems
THE water situation in Bulawayo and communities in Umguza District has been compounded by theft of an undisclosed number of transformers that has reportedly reduced water pumped from the Nyamandlovu Aquifer by 50 percent thereby affecting supplies, Sunday News has learnt.
Bulawayo is enduring a 72-hour water shedding schedule as the water situation continues to deteriorate.
Investigations by Sunday News have revealed that a significant number of the transformers had been stolen with authorities hard pressed to replace them as these were now affecting pumping capacity from Epping Forest boreholes.
Contacted to give the number of stolen transformers, Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) acting public relations manager, Mr Prosper Mutswiri said their team was on the ground to investigate the matter.
“For now, it would be premature to comment as our team is on the ground assessing the situation,” said Mr Mutswiri.
Bulawayo Acting Director of Engineering Services, Engineer Sikhumbuzo Ncube, without giving the exact number of transformers stolen, confirmed that this was now adversely affecting the amount of water being drawn from the aquifer.
“All else being equal, provided demand is managed within the existing available supply capacity of 125-130 megalitres a day (dams and Nyamandlovu). This could be increased to 135 megalitres a day if not for the difficulties encountered at Nyamandlovu, where a number of transformers have been stolen, limiting the facility’s capability to supply 15 megalitres a day, instead, an average of 5-7 megalitres a day is supplied,” said Eng Ncube.
Contacted for further details on the exact number of transformers that were stolen, BCC corporate communications manager, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu declined to comment.
“May you contact the Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution and Transmission Company or the Zimbabwe National Water Authority for more details,” she said.
A Sunday News crew visited Nyamandlovu last Friday where villagers confirmed that a number of transformers feeding into the boreholes had been stolen. Village head for village two, under Ward 15 in Umguza District, Mr Mkhulunyelwa Sibanda said in their ward, six transformers had been stolen, which he said was now also affecting water supplies.
“This theft of transformers is really getting out of hand, in our village alone six transformers were stolen while in the neighbouring village two transformers were also stolen inclusive of the one leading to the borehole that Zinwa donated to the community.
“Our worry now is that we now have no other water supply source at all. It is sad that when Government brings such development to the community, we then reverse such gains by stealing the transformers,” said Mr Sibanda.
Deputy Village Head, Mr Stave Sibanda said the theft of the transformers was further worsened by the theft of copper cables.
“What we gave done is that we have constituted village committees to help guard the few transformers that have been left behind but our plea is also for the responsible authorities to improve the security measures of such equipment,” he said.