Residents in Ward 1 and Ward 5 of Hwange Central Constituency are set to begin accessing clean, solar-powered borehole water this week, following successful verification visits conducted under the 2024 Constituency Development Fund (CDF) programme.
The verification exercise, held on Friday, April 17, was led by the office of Daniel Molokele and brought together ward councillors, ward development committee members, and representatives from the project contractor, Jimmy Jimmy Borehole Company. The visits assessed progress across four wards that benefited from the solar-powered borehole initiative.
Ward 1’s borehole project is nearing completion and is expected to begin serving the community within days. Similarly, Ward 5, despite earlier delays caused by funding shortages, is now ready to come online after a financial intervention from the legislator.
Speaking during the visit, Molokele confirmed his personal commitment to ensuring the project’s completion.
“Access to clean and reliable water is not a luxury but a basic necessity. I stepped in to cover the outstanding US$2000 because our communities cannot continue to suffer when solutions are within reach,” he said.
Ward 5 resident, Mavis Ncube, expressed relief at the development, saying the new borehole would significantly ease daily struggles.
“We have been walking long distances to fetch water, sometimes from unsafe sources. This borehole will change our lives, especially for women and children,” she said.
Another beneficiary from Ward 1, Victoria Dube, highlighted the broader impact on health and livelihoods. “This project is more than just water, it means better hygiene, healthier families, and more time to focus on income-generating activities,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Ward 4 and Ward 6 have already been benefiting from similar installations since February, demonstrating the transformative impact of solar-powered water systems in the constituency.
However, challenges remain in Ward 14, where plans for a borehole have stalled due to exhausted CDF allocations. During a consultation meeting with ward representatives, stakeholders emphasised the urgent need for intervention due to ongoing water shortages.
Molokele’s office has since pledged to mobilise additional resources to ensure Ward 14 is not left behind.