Govt expedites drilling of boreholes in Matebeleland South

Government will expedite the drilling of 2 847 boreholes to alleviate water challenges in Matebeleland South, as President Mnangagwa's initiative continues to deliver quality drinking water across the country.

Water challenges in the province continue to escalate and the Government intervened by expediting the drilling of boreholes.

Reports indicate that some livestock were stuck in the mud, while trying to access drinking water in muddy dams although all the trapped cattle were rescued with some help from Government.

Government has improved water supplies, particularly Matobo and Mangwe, where there is a big challenge.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said more effort was now being done to ensure that the province had enough water and there was need to scale up borehole drilling.

"We are working to ensure that the province get enough water for livestock and humans as well," he said.

"We are working with relevant authorities to scale up the process. We have also mobilised hay bales for the province because this time pastures also deteriorate.

"We are, therefore, scaling up borehole drilling and increasing dams in the province to alleviate challenges of water."

Prof Jiri said the Government was fully committed to resolving water challenges in the region and in cities, and rural and urban centres and will continue to do everything possible to ensure that residents get water on a sustainable basis.

This dovetails with President Mnangagwa's vision which said the Second Republic will carry out a national rehabilitation programme of all water purification plants, construct Gwayi Shangani, Mutange, Musami and Kunzvi dams and Wenimbi pipelines.

Statistics from Zinwa indicate that 2 847 boreholes will be drilled in the province.

The province has 2 148 villages and 699 schools and one borehole was being drilled in each village and at each school.

A target of 35 000 boreholes will be drilled countrywide in the villages plus extra thousands at the schools and a number on urban areas.

Matebeleland South acting provincial director Agriculture and Rural Development Services Mr Mkhunjulelwa Ndlovu said the areas most affected by water shortages were Mangwe and Matobo.

He said Government had intervened by bringing Zinwa rigs into the areas.

Government had also provided farmers with biomass seed to ensure that livestock get nutritious feed.

He said animals which were stuck in mud while trying to access water were rescued, adding that the situation was now in control.

"Water situation in the province is worked on and livestock is also managed to ensure that they access water in areas where they are safe so that they will not get stuck like what happened," said Mr Ndlovu.

"We advise farmers to direct cattle where there are no risks of being trapped. After accompanying their cattle to safe areas we encourage them to direct them to their grazing places. Those which were trapped were all removed from the scene."

Government is also targeting to sink boreholes in urban areas, particularly in hotspots of water borne diseases.