Serious water shortages have hit communities in Zaka rural district after water points, wells ran dry and boreholes broke down. Speaking during the community feedback meeting facilitated by Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) in ward 18, the villagers stated that, the residents have been reduced to water scavengers as the water crisis worsen owing to lack of repair and maintenance of boreholes and water points by the District Development Fund (DDF) department and the Rural District Council. The villagers have reportedly engaged ward 18 councilor Mr Mativenga and the Ward Development Committee (WADCO) over the water challenges, however the community members are worried that public officials have been lackadaisical about the issue.
The villagers highlighted that the situation on the ground is so pathetic. Mupisa, a local community borehole which serves Maputsa, Marufu, Chongore, Gaza and other local villages is currently malfunctioning. The community members have been previously making contributions for the refurbishment of Mupisa and other local boreholes, however many of these boreholes only functioned for a few days before breaking down again. Many of these boreholes no longer reach the water table due to low rainfall, therefore there is need for further drilling and installation of new and dipper water pipes.
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