By Lovemore Meya
Ward 16 residents in Chitungwiza have endured a 2-months water problem as Council is failing to “procure” a spanner required to attend to a malfunctioning borehole, it has emerged.
This was revealed by Ward 16 Councillor, Michael Mukashi during the 499th Ordinary Council meeting yesterday saying that it was dispeacable to say the least.
“One thing that I want to raise to the public works committee is, I know that water problem is beyond our control as Chitungwiza. But I believe we have boreholes that we are supposed to maintain to assist our residents,” said Cllr Mukashi.
“I noted in a report by the public works committee where it stated something regarding the maintanance of boreholes. I have a very worrying situation in Ward 16, Unit D part of it. There is a borehole with a high capacity yield and it developed a problem, I think its now two months.
“All the spares required to maintain it are in place, the only challenge that Council is facing is a spanner. For the past two months residents do not have water because Chitungwiza Municipality does not have a spanner, just imagine, how embarassing it is to the residents.
“The last time I paid a visit to that area residents even asked me if it was possible for Council to go and borrow it from DDF or the City of Harare. Whenever I make inquries, will be told that the issue is with the procument unit.”
He said, this indicates lack of seriousness on the part of Council.
“Surely, surely, do you think residents will take us seriously? A borehole has sufficient water, but residents are buying it because Council does not have a spanner. If this issue has not been brought to your attention, Mayor and Acting Town Clerk, I am informing you now.
“What it means is that as Council we are failing to provide tools to our employees. The employees who came to my Ward ended up informing residents that they were unable to attend to the problem because they had no spanner. Our employees reportedly inquired from the residents if they could assist, but were told it was Council’s responsibility. It is so embarassing to say the least.”
Councillor Mukashi also highlighted that the level of neglect by Council was alarming.
“Town Clerk, if you remember, there is another borehole in Unit J drilled by honourable Chimbaira, which we removed the electric pump, that was the end of it. The same pump was never replaced. At times residents will not take us seriously because where we are supposed to be active. We are not doing anything.
“I am giving you up to Friday to act on this issue,” he said.
Ward 19 Councillor, Musa Makweza also weighed in saying most often it was subbotage only.
“I encountered the same problem in my ward and I realised that it was subbotage. It is disturbing that a spanner becomes an issue in Cllr Mukashi’s Ward, but it is available to the other Councillor.”
Chitungwiza Mayor, Councillor Rosaria Mangoma tasked acting director of works, Engineer Talent Mashinge to look into the matter.
