Tendai Charumbira
Residents at Nemamwa Growth Point in Masvingo West constituency have gone for close to three weeks with dry taps and have resorted to fetching water from nearby Manzviru River for domestic uses.
Residents at the growth point are living in fear of likely health hazard after going for the past two weeks and have now entered the third week without the precious liquid.
Speaking to Tellzim News Jesirina Tagwirei a resident said they have resorted to unprotected sources of water and there is no meaningful explanation from Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA).
“We are now in the third week and there is no water. We are getting water from Manzviru River for domestic use and for drinking we are fetching from boreholes which are very far from where we stay. There is no explanation from ZINWA,”said Tagwirei.
Tonderai Moyo a businessperson at the growth point said they are now at risk in terms of diseases as they are using water from unprotected sources while those who work in Masvingo Central Business District (CBD) would ferry water from town.
“We are now afraid of diseases because we are using water from rivers and unprotected wells. ZINWA is not making any efforts and there is no communication on why we are in to the third week without water, some of us we are travelling to the CBD to fetch clean water,” said Moyo.
Contacted for comment, ZINWA Corporate Communications and Marketing Officer William Mugadziwa said the transformer which pumps water is not working and they are waiting for Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) for the way forward.
“The transformer which is used for pumping water is broken down, so we are waiting for ZESA on the way forward,” said Mugadziwa.
Masvingo Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Martin Mubviro confirmed the situation obtaining in Nemamwa but said they are waiting for ZINWA to take action since they are responsible for water supplies.
“Yes, we are now entering the third week without water. The transformer which pumps the water is down so we are waiting for ZINWA to take action,” said Mubviro.
Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company ZETDC Masvingo District manager Jacqueline Hlatshwayo said they will attend to the fault soon and power would be restored.
“We are currently attending to the fault and we are looking for a new transformer to replace the broken down. Soon it will be sorted,” said Hlatshwayo.
