Bulawayo Mayor appeals to God amid worsening water crisis

Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart has made an impassioned plea to God for rain as the city grapples with an escalating water crisis that he says is beyond the control of the Bulawayo City Council (BCC). In a Facebook statement on Friday, Coltart detailed the dire state of the city's water supply and the challenges compounding the crisis, including low dam levels, power outages, and insufficient government funding.

"Our dams are collectively holding just over 24% of their capacity, with most water remaining in Insiza and Mtshabezi dams," Coltart said, noting that Lower Ncema Dam is on the verge of decommissioning, following the earlier closures of Upper Ncema and Umzingwane dams.

The situation has been exacerbated by power outages, with Mtshabezi Pump Station recently going without electricity for eight consecutive days, significantly reducing water delivery to the city. The mayor also revealed that Criterion Reservoir, a critical component of the water purification process, is at critically low levels, forcing engineers to pump water directly into purification works.

Adding to the crisis, Coltart pointed to government delays in funding vital upgrades to the Insiza and Mtshabezi pipelines, which are essential for increasing water supply. He also blamed rampant gold panning in catchment areas, which has hindered rainfall absorption, and above-average December temperatures that have accelerated evaporation from the dams.

"The consequence of all of the above is that it has been exceptionally difficult for our engineers to deliver sufficient water to residents," Coltart lamented, acknowledging that most residents now face prolonged periods without water. "The situation is deeply regretted but is largely beyond our control. The Bulawayo City Council is doing all in its power to alleviate the situation."

In a rare spiritual appeal, Coltart called on divine intervention to address the crisis. "At this time of grave crisis, I call on the Lord Almighty to cause rain to fall and fill our dams," he wrote, expressing hope that faith might inspire relief in the face of the city's worsening water woes.

Residents, meanwhile, are voicing frustrations over the crisis, with many demanding immediate solutions as they face prolonged water cuts. The situation underscores the broader challenges of urban water management in Zimbabwe, where droughts, aging infrastructure, and economic instability often converge to leave cities vulnerable.

As Bulawayo waits for rain - and possible government action - the city's engineers continue to navigate a crisis that appears to grow more severe by the day.