BY NIZBERT MOYO
RESIDENT’s of Tsholotsho have expressed concern over water challenges amid claims that the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZNWA) is failing to service the district due to obsolete equipment.
According to the residents, Thsolotsho centre has gone for nearly two weeks without the precious liquid, sparking fears of possible outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
Tsholotsho district administrator, Gladys Zizhou claimed Zimwa is failing to pump water owing to ageing water reticulation infrastructure.
“We need constant supply of water. Zinwa equipment is obsolete. We have complained about this issue, but still water challenges persist,” Zizhou said.
Tsholotsho Rural District Council (RDC) chairperson, Esau Siwela echoed the same sentiments adding that council must be given ownership of Zinwa’s water and sewerage systems to end the water shortages.
“Zinwa must respect us. Residents pay their rates every month, but they are not getting service from Zinwa. Had it been that the council has money, it was going to better run the water affairs of Tsholotsho,” ’said Siwela.
A Zinwa official, who only identified himself as a Mr Chirongwa, blamed the water woes on constant electricity outages affecting pumping capacity.
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“We do not have water challenges in Tsholotsho. The problem is that there are frequent power cuts which affect the supply of water in the area,’’ he said.
In 2017, council wrote to central government seeking authority to take over all water and sewer functions from Zinwa.
Government allowed Zinwa to take over all water functions countrywide in 2006, a decision that was later reversed following protests from local authorities.
But Zinwa still controls water supply and sewer infrastructure of some councils.
