Dry Taps and Deep Holes:The Struggle for Water in Chief Masunda’s Village
ZVISHAVANE – A severe water shortage has brought the villagers of Mblawadema under Chief Masunda to their knees, leaving residents desperate for a drop.
For months, residents have been grappling with a crippling water crisis, forcing them to dig deep holes along the riverbed in search of precious water.
The village’s taps, once a symbol of progress, now stand as barren monuments to broken promises.
“We wait in line for hours, sometimes until the dead of night, only to return home empty-handed if we are unlucky,” said a resident who wished to remain anonymous.
Madhau, a young resident, described the dire situation: “Digging for water is a challenge for everyone, but the elderly and young children are the most vulnerable. The hole is unstable and can collapse, trapping us inside.”
“l have seen elderly people struggling to get in and out of the hole-it is a miracle they have fallen yet, Madhau said”.
She also noted that the community, once peaceful, is now plagued by fights over water at the well.
“I have seen neighbors turn against each other over a few precious liters of water – it’s devastating to see our community torn apart like this.”
According to village officials, the water crisis can be traced back to a faulty tank that supplies water to surrounding villages. The tank, installed over a decade ago, has developed cracks and leaks, resulting in significant water losses.
” We have been reporting the issue to the relevant authorities, but nothing has been done to address it,” said village Head, Kailos Bushe. We are now forced to rely on the river, which is drying up fast.”
As the water crisis deepens, residents are urging authorities to take action. The community is in dire need of a borehole, as there is no a single one.
“We cannot keep living like this, we need a reliable water source said Nyikadzino Mhangami.”
Speaking to AfroGazette News, Ward 10 Councillor Verengai Miti revealed that he is working closely with ZINWA authorities to resolve the persistent problem of dry taps and deep holes affecting residents in his constituency.
“lam working closely with ZINWA authorities to resolve the water crisis in our area. We understand the frustration and hardship that dry taps and deep holes have caused our residents.”
“We are committed to finding a lasting solution to this problem. We will leave no stone unturned until our residents have access to clean and reliable water.”
“I urge our residents to remain calm and patient as we work tirelessly to address this issue. We will keep them updated on our progress and look forward to resolving this matter soon.”
Efforts to get comments from Member of Parliament for Zvishavane-Runde Constituency, Freddy Gandiwa, were futile.
In a bid to address the persistent water challenges faced by communities, President Mnangagwa launched the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme. The ambitious initiative aims to drill and equip 35,000 boreholes across 35,000 villages nationwide, providing clean water for household use and livestock. This landmark project seeks to alleviate the water woes that have long plagued rural communities, improving lives and livelihoods across the country.
