Heavy rains bring hope to Matabeleland

THE rains that fell in Gwanda and surrounding areas yesterday brought smiles to thousands of residents in the mining town that is facing a critical water shortage that has seen them going without running water for close to a fortnight.

Residents in the worst affected suburbs of Spitzkop and Ultra-High took advantage of the downpour and placed buckets outside to harvest rainwater from their rooftops.

"The rains have come at the right time," said a resident of Ultra-High Marilyn Tshuma after her buckets filled up. "If only it could be like this every day then we will be saved from walking all the way to town to fetch water.

"This is the second time it has rained since the water problem started in the town and each time dark clouds gather, we position our buckets along the walls to harvest rainwater," she said.

Residents have been forced to relieve themselves in the nearby bushes and there is a growing fear of an outbreak of waterborne diseases as the rainy season starts.

The water problems persisted in Gwanda yesterday despite council's moves to offer Transport and Infrastructure Development minister Obert Mpofu a commercial stand in a desperate bid to raise funds to offset the $5 million debt it owes to the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA).

Sources said Mpofu was spotted in Gwanda on Tuesday and it was suspected that he had come to view the $90 000 commercial stand council was selling to him.

ZINWA is demanding US$46 000 upfront before it can restore normal water supplies to Gwanda and council resolved on Monday to use 70% of all revenue collected towards offsetting the liability.