HARARE – Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has criticised the Zimbabwean government’s Presidential Borehole Scheme, launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as a failure in addressing the nation’s persistent water crisis.
Writing on his X handle on Monday, Chamisa highlighted the continued reliance of urban residents on buckets and borehole bush pumps, and the proliferation of water tanks, as evidence of governmental shortcomings.
He argued that these are not signs of progress, but rather “symbols of leadership ineptitude.”
He further pointed to the ongoing struggles of rural communities, where reliance on open wells and rivers has contributed to outbreaks of diseases like cholera and tsikidzi.
Chamisa’s criticism comes amidst the government’s efforts to alleviate water shortages through the Presidential Borehole Scheme.
This initiative, launched in 2022, initially aimed to install solar-powered boreholes with own tanks in urban centers, with Harare and Chitungwiza slated to receive over 200 such boreholes, and Marondera an additional 20.
During the launch, Mnangagwa cited partnerships with controversial investors from the United Arab Emirates, fronted by his ally Paul Tungwarara, as crucial to the project, emphasising the operational boreholes already providing clean water to residents.
Despite these efforts, Chamisa has maintained that the fundamental water crisis persists, indicating a broader “leadership failure.”
“TANKS OF LEADERSHIP FAILURE… 45 years after Independence, Zimbabweans still carry buckets for water in towns and cities,” Chamisa stated.
“Borehole bush pumps now dot our urban areas — clear proof of a government that has abandoned its people.
“Every water tank you see in our towns is not a sign of progress. They are symbols of leadership ineptitude. They are tanks of leadership failure. Those in power refuse to fix these basics because they profit from chaos.
“Meanwhile, our rural communities drink from open wells and rivers, decades after the promise of Independence. Prehistoric maladies like cholera and tsikidzi stalk our communities.”
The opposition leader called for a “New Great Zimbabwe” with universal access to safe water, modern dams, and advanced irrigation, suggesting that only “new leadership” can achieve this vision.
Meanwhile, Harare is facing a critical water crisis, requiring an estimated US$3.3 billion to overhaul its dilapidated infrastructure, including a 5,800km water distribution network and new meters.
A recent report by the Portfolio Committee on Local Government highlighted that the city’s aging infrastructure and inadequate maintenance have led to significant water losses.
Lake Chivero, a primary water source, is heavily polluted by untreated sewage from Chitungwiza, necessitating costly chemical treatments.
The Morton Jeffrey Water Works is operating at significantly below its capacity due to breakdowns and financial limitations in procuring essential chemicals, while crucial augmentation projects aimed at increasing water supply are severely underfunded by the Treasury.
The dire situation is compounded by the City of Harare reportedly losing over US$70 million annually due to the lack of an effective ERP system and grappling with substantial debts owed by government entities, commercial, and domestic users, hindering its ability to procure necessary water treatment chemicals.
Residents and stakeholders, like the Harare Residents’ Trust, have been raising concerns about the city’s capacity to manage further borrowing, questioning the transparency and accountability of its financial systems and procurement processes.
They advocate for plugging existing financial leakages before incurring more debt to address the urgent need for clean and reliable water.
Obsolete infrastructure, including the lack of upgrades to the Morton Jeffrey plant since 1994 and the non-functional state of pumps at the Prince Edward plant, significantly contribute to the crisis.
High levels of non-revenue water, construction on wetlands, and a non-operational wastewater treatment plant further exacerbate the challenges.
The Portfolio Committee has issued several recommendations, urging the government to release committed funds for water augmentation projects, pay its outstanding debts, explore private sector involvement, and modernise the city’s water management systems to avert a potential public health catastrophe.
Surely when is this going to end 😕