By Decide Nhendo
Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) is alleged to have abandoned the repair and placement of pipes supplying water to some parts of Chivi Central, Ward 20 which has seen some residents in the ward going for about four years without piped water.
Chivi Central Ward 20 councilor Alec Nhundu said the pipes were damaged by Exodus and Company in 2020 when they were rehabilitating roads in the area and the company supplied new pipes to replace the damaged ones, but it seems ZINWA was dragging its feet in replacing the pipes.
“We have a water crisis in our area caused by damage of pipes which occurred when Exodus was rehabilitating roads in the area.
“The company made efforts to replace damaged pipes and bought new ones and ZINWA is now delaying to fix the pipes giving excuses, some other time they said they had no generator.
He said the pipes were the ward’s main source of safe water to the community with villagers resorting to boreholes and open sources for domestic uses and subjected to traveling long distances.
“We are experiencing a serious water crisis in the ward because the pipes to our main source of safe water are yet to be replaced. People are now using water from boreholes and open sources which put their lives at risk.
“Residents have to travel long distances to fetch water from rivers and boreholes where they crowd for the precious liquid,” said Nhundu.
The water was being taken from Tugwi Mukosi and Manyare dam. The piped scheme supplied water to Sese Business Centre, schools including Danhamombe High, St Simon, and Jaka.
It also served villages like Zhara, Mudziwedare, Mupepeti, Charumengwe, Mashamhanda, and Tavagadza.
No comment could be obtained from ZINWA information officer Obert Muchena whose phone went unanswered several times.
