By Rangarirai Shanyurai
People in Ward 4 Mudadisi area of Chivi North are appealing for assistance to repair Tsiru Dam wall which collapsed in 1998 as effects of drought bite.
Tsiri Dam is situated along Tsiri River which runs from Jenya Mountains through Mudadisi area on its way to the Runde River.
The dam is close and used to service Tsiri dip tank, a source of water for cattle and gardening to Mashawi, parts of Chitowa, Madokugwa and Tagwireyi villages.
Speaking to TellZim News, a local elder Genesia Rubaya said the dam wall collapsed long back can no longer hold water forcing cattle to travel for around 10 kilometres in search of water.
“The dam wall collapsed in 2000 during Cyclone Eline, one of the most deadly cyclones to ever reach Zimbabwe, leaving the community in a sorry situation.
“Elderly people some with terminal illnesses are forced to endure the scotching sun for about 10km driving their animals to Nyarutedzi River,” she said.
The dam project coordinator Ezekiel Takawira said the dam used to benefit a very big community and they tried reconstructing at some point but failed.
“The dam was constructed before Independence with the purpose of supplying water to surrounding communities, for watering cattle, dipping, gardening, fishing among other uses. The river is no longer perennial, often drying as soon as the rainfall season ends but the dam used to serve the community throughout the year.
“During its time in the early 90s people used to come as far as Mashava and Zvishavane buy vegetables and green mealies. The community used to pay their children’s school fees from the garden produce,” said Takawira.
“The local community at some point contributed and bought cement to rehabilitate the dam but failed due to lack of technical expertise and other resources. We are now humbly asking the assistance and we are ready to provide labour and other local resources,” said Takawira.
Ward 4 Chivi North Councillor Elfas Runoinda emphasized the need for the dam wall construction saying as villagers were suffering.
“We lost hundreds of cattle in our area over the years due to shortage of water as 13 villages historically depended on the dam water to support their farming activities with 400 people and animals now relying on a borehole for water which runs dry in some seasons,” said Runoinda.
