Water shortages hit Chivi villagers
TATENDA CHIKARA IN CHIVI
Villagers in Chivi district, Masvingo Province are walking long distances to access clean water resulting in some fetching in unprotected sources thereby exposing them to waterborne diseases.
Chief Nemauzhe, born Nelson Murandu, told Business Times that there was need for government intervention to drill more boreholes in his area as the existing ones were not enough.
“We have a serious water problem in my area. The nearest boreholes in some areas are 4km to 5km away. This is causing some villagers to drink from unprotected sources like rivers,” he said.
Chief Nemauzhe said it would be a great development if the government “can drill us two or three boreholes in most areas here”.
A woman from Zivuku village in Ward 22 said: “Women are having serious problems because we use water all the time. So, walking long distances affects us a lot. You come back home tired. We fear for our girl children as they end up being raped or are coerced into early marriages.”
The councillor for Ward 7, Taurai Masvinu said most boreholes in his area were running dry due to low water table.
“Water challenges in my ward are a serious problem. Most boreholes have run dry because the water tables have gone down since we recorded low rainfall this season. The areas that are in serious need for boreholes are Madziva village, Chikwe village, Tapera and Pesai villages only to name a few,” Masvinu said.
However, Masvinu said a few households were benefiting from the Chombwe pipeline water scheme that was resuscitated.
“Some villagers are, however, benefitting from the recently resuscitated Chombwe pipeline water scheme that was funded by devolution funds. That is a major development,” Masvinu said.
