Residents of Mafuyana suburb in Maphisa are grappling with severe water shortages and poor water quality, prompting urgent calls for government intervention to address the escalating crisis in Matabeleland South Province.
Matabeleland South Senator Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa has urged the government to construct more dams, citing the need for long-term solutions to persistent water challenges in the province.
The appeal comes amid worsening service delivery by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), with approximately 5,000 households reporting they are either receiving muddy water or experiencing complete service cuts for days, forcing them to rely on boreholes and irrigation canals.
Residents told CITE that recently, muddy water has occasionally flowed from their taps, prompting them to seek alternative sources. Many now depend on community boreholes or canal water from the local supply dam for domestic use.
Khulekani Tshuma, chairperson of the Maphisa Residents Association, said the community periodically receives murky water, which they are hesitant to use due to health concerns.
“We sometimes get muddy water running from our taps. We’ve tried to engage ZINWA on several occasions. They always promise improvements, but little changes. As a result, residents end up fetching water from boreholes or the dam,” Tshuma said.
Another resident, Mncedisi Tshabalala, said ZINWA often attributes the poor service to electricity outages at its pumping stations.
“They tell us they’re facing electricity challenges, which prevent them from pumping water and cleaning storage tanks. So, we either get muddy water or no water at all for days,” he said.
“In such situations, finding alternative water sources becomes a struggle. The community boreholes are too few to serve everyone, and with around 5,000 households, there are frequent conflicts. Some people turn to the canal, but that water isn’t safe for consumption.”
Another resident, Agrippa Nkomo, echoed the frustrations, stating that ZINWA frequently uses power outages as an excuse, even when electricity is available.
“Sometimes there’s power, but still no water. Clearly, electricity is not always the issue,” he said.
Ward 19 Councillor Nqobizitha Ngwenya confirmed the deteriorating water situation, saying ZINWA has been failing to deliver consistent services.
“Initially, water in our community was managed by the local council, but due to challenges, it was handed over to ZINWA. Over the past few months, service has worsened,” Cllr Ngwenya said.
“They claim electricity challenges, but we haven’t experienced serious outages lately. Just last week, there was no load shedding, yet we went 72 hours without water. They said they were cleaning their tanks.”
Cllr Ngwenya also criticized ZINWA for giving residents short notice ahead of water cuts, making it difficult for households to make alternative storage plans. In some cases, he said, water cuts last for several days.
Responding to the concerns, ZINWA spokesperson Marjorie Munyonga confirmed receiving complaints about water quality in Mafuyana and said the matter had been addressed.
“The Authority confirms receiving complaints relating to water quality from users, and the matter has since been rectified,” Munyonga said.
“Normal water supplies have resumed following the successful repair of a major breakdown. During the repairs, ZINWA also cleaned its reservoirs to improve water quality.”
Senator Mlotshwa, who resides in the affected area, confirmed the challenges and the temporary resolution.
“I’m a resident of the area and can confirm we faced the same issues. While the situation has been resolved for now, this is not a once-off issue that we can relax about. We need long-term solutions,” she said.
She expressed concern over communities like Mahetshe, where water used for irrigation is also consumed by residents and livestock, posing serious health risks.
“In areas such as Mahetshe, there’s no dedicated water source for domestic use. The same water is used for irrigation and consumed by livestock. You can imagine the health implications, especially for children,” said Sen Mlotshwa.
She said there is a need for the government to build more dams in the province, especially since Bulawayo also depends on water from the same sources.
“Our province falls in Region 5, which receives very little rainfall, yet our dams also supply Bulawayo. More dams need to be built to ensure adequate water access for all,” she said.
She also called on mining companies operating in the province to support water supply efforts.
“Mining companies are extracting resources from our communities. They must give back. So far, only PPC has built a water plant to support ZINWA. If more companies chipped in, this crisis could be resolved more quickly,” she added.
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