Mwenezi in crisis as boreholes dry up

MWENEZI district has been hit by a severe shortage of potable water after the majority of its 2 000 boreholes dried up owing to the prolonged dry spell that has depleted the water table.

Mwenezi is one of the most populous districts in Masvingo with an estimated population of more than 140 000, the majority of whom leave in rural areas and are dependent on boreholes for potable water.

Mwenezi Rural District Council chief executive Mr Albert Chivanga said the prevailing dry spell has led to the drying up of most boreholes in the district leaving villagers in most areas without an alternative source of clean drinking water.

The shortage of potable water has since led to the birth of a lucrative bottled water industry mainly at urban centres such as Neshuro and Rutenga.

Mr Chivanga said the water supply situation was more precarious at Rutenga where more than 4 000 residents were relying on two boreholes.

“The majority of the 2 000 boreholes that were sunk by council and development partners have since dried up and people are walking long distances to fetch water as effects of the prevailing dry spell continue to take their toll on people in this district,” he said.

Mr Chivanga said the water woes were compounded by recurrent power cuts that affected pumping of water by Zinwa to Rutenga and Neshuro growth points.

He said villagers in Rufaro and Makawire in Mwenezi were walking long distances after two boreholes that used to supply water dried up recently.

The Mwenezi district water and sanitation committee has been reactivated to find ways to mitigating the effects of water woes.

The committee has representatives from the District Development Fund, Ministry of Health and Child Care, DA’s office and non-governmental organisations operating in Mwenezi.