Emakhandeni-Luveve Member of Parliament Descent Bajila on Friday handed over two solar-powered boreholes to the community, part of six planned under the 2025 Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
The project is being funded through the constituency’s ZiG 1.3 million allocation from the 2025 CDF.
The handover comes as Bulawayo continues to grapple with severe water rationing, driven by ageing infrastructure, supply challenges and environmental damage linked to illegal gold mining near the city’s dams.
The newly commissioned water points are located at Ziyaphapha in Gwabalanda and eMkhayeni in New Lobengula.
Speaking at the ceremony, MP Bajila said the projects were identified through community consultations held in 2024.
“In 2024, we sat down with residents and asked how they wanted the CDF to be used. Some requested a police base in Gwabalanda, others suggested a bridge or the rehabilitation of a youth centre,” he said.
“We asked our two councillors to identify suitable sites for boreholes in line with city regulations. We also engaged surveyors because some areas are dry, while others have sewer lines running nearby.”
He said the infrastructure belongs to residents and urged them to take ownership of it.
“The money used for these boreholes is yours. Those who work pay tax, and our role as MPs is to ensure that tax revenue is used to develop our constituencies,” he said.
The MP explained that the project involved drilling new boreholes and upgrading existing manual pumps to solar-powered systems.
“Some boreholes were manually operated; we converted them to solar. In other areas, we drilled new ones. We do not want residents to leave their yards in search of water,” he said.
“We are in a crisis, with ongoing debates about the supply dams, so people need alternative water sources. Our goal is for residents to access water within their communities.”
He added that communities must safeguard the infrastructure and plan for long-term maintenance.
“As we hand over these boreholes, security should be your first priority. No equipment lasts forever, pumps have a lifespan of about three years,” he said.
“You may ask me to fix them, but I will not be MP forever. It is important to have a sustainability plan as a community.”
He called for the establishment of a water point committee to work with neighbourhood structures and residents’ committee to ensure proper management.
Residents were also encouraged to share water with neighbouring areas during extended periods of water shedding.
Ward 12 Councillor Greater Gumede welcomed the intervention.
“This brings relief to residents because we are still facing water challenges in Bulawayo. We are not receiving water from our taps every day,” she said.
A long-time Gwabalanda resident, Gwetu, said the Ziyaphapha borehole is the closest water source the community has had since the suburb was established.
“Since 1978, when this section of Gwabalanda was opened, there was no nearby borehole. The closest ones were at the clinic and police station, which were far for residents to access during water shedding,” she said.
“Today we have a water point, and we appreciate the MP for that.”
Ziyaphapha residents’ chairperson Zanele Moyo said water shortages had long disrupted daily life.
“We struggled with laundry and flushing toilets. Hygiene was a challenge during those times,” she said.
“We used to fetch water from near Magwegwe North, which was inconvenient, especially for elderly people living alone.”
In New Lobengula, Ward 11 Councillor Susan Sithole said residents had raised the need to solarise manual boreholes during CDF consultations.
“The MP listened. He has also promised to drill more boreholes in other sections,” she said.
“Residents were anxious about how their CDF money was being spent, but patience has paid off. These are the results.”