The completion of the Mtshabezi-Umzingwane pipeline project is likely to boost the performance of the Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC-T in Bulawayo in the next harmonised elections to be held sometime this year, analysts said yesterday. REPORT BY NDUDUZO TSHUMA STAFF REPORTER
Water Resources Development and Management minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo told journalists on Friday the pumping of water from Mtshabezi to Bulawayo had started after the synchronisation of the generator at the pump house and closing leaks along the pipeline.
Nkomo is the MDC-T legislator for Lobengula.
Political analyst Effie Ncube said the completion of the project that Zanu PF had failed to do during their tenure would work as an advantage to the MDC-T.
“If a party is able to deliver something that Zanu PF has failed to deliver in their many years (in power alone), then they have an advantage when the elections come,” he said. “It gives them advantage because they achieve this as ministers from a political party that is not in the Presidency and people will think of the prospect of development if that party takes over completely.”
But Ncube said the connection of water would have more impact if it also related to issues like revival of industry in Bulawayo, among other deliverables.
Another analyst, Dumisani Nkomo, said the completion of the project would boost the MDC-T election campaign.
“It adds a feather in the MDC-T campaign, the completion is a big boost for Minister Nkomo. The timing, whether by design or default, will give him (Tsvangirai) and his party some mileage,” the analyst said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Political analyst Zenzele Ndebele also said the MDC-T could capitalise on the completion of the project viewed as one of the short-term solutions to the city’s perennial water woes.
“The party (MDC-T) will cash in on the project when campaigning, no doubt,” he said.
“However, I do not think it will contribute (much) to a greater scheme of things as Zimbabweans and the people of Matabeleland in particular are still angry and would vote anyone who is not (President Robert) Mugabe.”
The Mtshabezi-Umzingwane pipeline project is expected to provide the city with an extra 17 000 cubic metres of water daily to cushion Bulawayo from perennial water shortages.
Presently the city is under a four-day water-shedding regime because of the dwindling levels in its supply dams.
