LUVEVE-EMAKHANDENI legislator Decent Bajila has commissioned six solarised boreholes, bringing relief to residents in his constituency who were facing water challenges.
The initiative, funded through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), is part of ongoing efforts to address Bulawayo’s deepening water crisis, which was driven by ageing infrastructure, climate change and rising demand that continues to outstrip supply.
Two of the solar-powered boreholes were commissioned in the Ziyaphapha area in Gwabalanda and Emkhayeni in New Lobengula.
The Luveve-Emakhandeni constituency in Bulawayo faces a perennial water crisis caused by climate change, ageing infrastructure, power outages and a rapid population growth. The city currently struggling with a water deficit caused by ageing pumping equipment, despite improved dam levels.
The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) reportedly requires over US$15 million to rehabilitate critical facilities like the Tuli Pump Station and deal with pipeline bottlenecks.
Council blames rampant stream-bank and riverbed mining in the Matopos catchment area for damaging rivers, reducing inflows to the supply dams.
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Bulawayo requires approximately 165 megalitres of water per day but has the capacity to supply only around 120 megalitres, forcing the implementation of a strict water-shedding schedule.
Bajila told Southern Eye that the boreholes were drilled after wide consultations involving the constituency’s CDF committee.
“We received ZiG1,3 million as CDF for 2025 and as such six boreholes were drilled and equipped under the 2025 CDF programme,” he said.
According to Bajila, some of the boreholes are located in Luveve 5, Emakhandeni A near Easy Pick shops and Emakhandeni B next to the car park.
Another borehole in Mafakela is expected to be commissioned soon.
Bajila said the 2025 CDF was dedicated to water, adding that consultations for the 2026 CDF programme would start next month.
“We consulted the Bulawayo City Council on the borehole water project. We will start the 2026 CDF programme in June at the ward level to cater to everyone,” he said.
Bajila said the constituency was also involved in other projects such as clinics, schools, roads and the revival of recreational facilities meant to curb crime in the constituency.
Meanwhile, Ziyaphapha Residents Association chairperson Zanele Moyo said the solarised boreholes brought relief, especially to women and the elderly, who used to travel long distances in search of water.
Ward 11 councillor Susan Sithole said other borehole projects were underway in the area, adding that the completed ones had cameras for security reasons.
“We now have cameras installed to safeguard our borehole equipment and the neighbourhood watch committee is also doing its duty at night,” she said.