Thousands of residents in Chivhu are caught in a political storm after a bitter standoff between Zanu PF and opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) politicians over the control of a community borehole left more than 2 000 people struggling to access water.
The dispute erupted in Ward 11 under Chikomba Rural District Council (RDC), where opposition CCC councillor Collen Zvarevashe spearheaded efforts to repair a community borehole that had been out of service since February this year.
The borehole, installed in 2008 through a donor-funded partnership with the government, services thousands of villagers who had endured months without reliable water supplies.
Zvarevashe mobilised the community to repair damaged water pipes and install a solar system to power the borehole in a bid to restore water access.
However, drama unfolded soon after the rehabilitation project was completed when Zanu PF members allegedly descended on the site and uninstalled the newly fitted pipes.
The ruling party members reportedly argued that the borehole was a government-linked project and, therefore, should be managed under the supervision of Chikomba West legislator Tatenda Mavetera (pictured) rather than opposition officials.
Zanu PF supporters accused the opposition of hijacking ruling party projects for political mileage.
They argued that the ruling party had initiated several water projects in the area and should be allowed to complete and oversee them.
The standoff has left villagers stranded, with residents now forced to travel long distances in search of water.
Tensions escalated on Friday evening at the Chikomba RDC offices where Zvarevashe reportedly refused to leave the council premises until around 10 pm while demanding answers from officials over the uninstallation of the borehole equipment.
Sources said council officials later reported the matter to police, accusing the councillor of holding them hostage.
Police reportedly intervened and urged the parties to “find each other” and resolve the dispute amicably.
Speaking after the incident, Zvarevashe condemned what he described as the politicisation of essential public services.
“It is ordinary people who are suffering because of these political fights. We are simply fighting to ensure residents have access to water,” he said.
“Government projects are not Zanu PF projects. They are meant to benefit everyone regardless of political affiliation.”
Zvarevashe said plans to fully solarise the borehole had also been disrupted by the dispute.
“We had organised through the ward development committee to mobilise funds towards the solar installation, but only six people managed to contribute,” he said.
“I later sourced funds on my own to secure the materials required for the solar-powered borehole so that villagers could finally have reliable access to water.”
But Mavetera distanced herself from the squabbles, saying she had not sent anyone to act on her behalf in the dispute.
“I never sent anyone to represent me in the borehole issue,” she said.
“My concern is that there are reports of some individuals demanding payments from villagers.
“The ruling party has drilled several boreholes in the area to improve water supply for communities and we will continue to do that.
“Those who claim I sent them on that borehole issue are just name-dropping. I am always present in my constituency. I do not need emissaries.
“Our mandate as representatives is to address problems faced by residents, not to derail progress.”