Water crisis alarming in Chiredzi

Villagers in Chiredzi district's Village 5 Musunda have made a passionate plea to the government to help in sinking boreholes to ease the water shortages which have reached unprecedented levels.


Water might be a basic human right, but the reality of its access in Village 5 Musunda is as far as the 10 kilometre distance that people walk to the nearest water source.

So dire is the situation that when the Masunda family found a poodle by the roadside following some light showers, it seemed like a dream come true.

Never mind the dirty water, just getting it is hitting the jackpot.

"Water has become a challenge for us, so we are helping ourselves here although the water is dirty. We appeal to authorities to help us by sinking boreholes," said Mr Masunda (pictured), while fetching the visibly dirty water on the side of a road.

This situation is not peculiar to the Masunda family alone as water shortage has hit many parts of Masvingo province.

In Chiredzi North, villagers travel close to 15 kilometres to Triangle as they seek water for their livestock.

Fully aware that the water which spills over from irrigation of sugar cane plantations contains chemicals, the villagers say they have no other option though they suspect the death of their livestock could be linked to the chemicals.

Due to the shortage of water, and the drought that has hit the area, in some parts of Chiredzi villagers are now selling their cattle for as little as $50 in desperation.