SHELMA SIBANDA
Bulawayo City authorities have sighed relief after the government pledged support to address the severe water crisis which has affected the country’s second largest city for long.
Due to the water crisis, council authorities implemented a 120-hour water shedding program since December 2023 to conserve dam water, citing low rainfall and climate change. Residents have resorted to unhygienic water sources and borehole long queues.
Speaking to the media after a press briefing by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Winston Chitando, Bulawayo Mayor, Senator David Coltart expressed gratitude to the government for acknowledging the dire situation in the city.
“We are grateful the Minister took time to come to our city. The focus on the water crisis,” said Senator Coltart.
He added, “As you know, we have had a succession of meetings. Our first meeting was on the fifth of December. January last week we had a meeting with Dr Masuku so what we tried to do is build consensus and momentum around the solutions to the water crisis.”
During the media briefing on Thursday, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Winston Chitando, emphasised government’s support and outlined a series of short-term, medium-term, and long-term solutions to tackle the issue.
Minister Chitando highlighted three key issues that were discussed with his colleague, Minister Matsuda.
He stated, “Firstly, the issue of securities, secondly, the need for government facilitation of investment, and the importance of engaging with partners for funding.”
Regarding the short-term solutions, Minister Chitando emphasised the urgency of addressing the water situation.
“The short term was the security arrangements at Nyamandlovu (Aquifer), that I’m certain will be implemented. The second issue is the Government to facilitate the investment in the short term solutions of addressing the water situation in Bulawayo of which $40 million is required,” Chitando stated.
He added, “The Mayor, together with the Town Clerk Christopher Dube have had meetings with a number of partners to participate in the funding and we will be engaging further to ensure that we unlock that funding.”
In terms of medium-term plans, the Minister proposed increasing water inflows to the city through building a Glass Block Dam.
“The medium term solution which is Glass Block, will increase the inflows of water to Bulawayo by 70% and its near Mbalabala. A 32 km pipeline is required to take water from Glass Block to Ncema, at the same time, upgrade facilities at Ncema to pump the increased water to Bulawayo.”
Furthermore, Minister Chitando mentioned the establishment of an internal committee to analyse the technical aspects of the water crisis.
He stated, “The committee will assess the medium-term solution of utilising glass Block to improve water supply. Their findings will guide us in implementing the necessary actions.”
Lastly, the Minister acknowledged the long-term vision of resolving the water crisis by completing the much awaited Gwayi-Shangani Dam.
“We discussed the long term Gwayi-Shangani dam, once we implement the short and medium terms then we will look at the long term which will increase the water inflow by 80%,” Chitando said.
Minister Chitando concluded the briefing by assuring the public that the government is actively working towards sustainable solutions
