Chronicle Editor
Blessing Karubwa recently in Nkayi , Chronicle Reporter
VILLAGERS under Chief Skhobokhobo in Nkayi North, Matabeleland North province are living in fear of contracting water-borne diseases as they are getting water from unprotected sources.
This emerged during a belated Independence Day celebration at Sabhumane Primary School in Nkayi North on Saturday.
In a side interview, Chief Skhobokhobo said there is an urgent need of 19 boreholes to cover 19 villages under his jurisdiction.
He said villagers are now drinking water from Tshangani river, a situation which is a threat to their health.
Chief Skhobokhobo appealed for help from the Government as villagers are walking more than ten kilometres to get water for drinking.
“We are now living by the grace of God.
If there can be any disease outbreak, for example those waterborne diseases, it would be hard for the Ministry of Health (and Child Care) to control because we are all getting water from unprotected sources.
There should be a plan very fast while we are still a bit safe. Development starts with improving water issues.
“Some villagers are fetching water from Tshangani river while some are getting water from the few available boreholes and that water is not safe as some wards are using condemned borehole water which is said to be polluted by coal.
Our area is rich in coal, mind you,” he said.
A villager from ward 18, Mr Lazarus Nkiwane, said they have been struggling to get water since October last year.
He said they had been using a borehole in another village but the borehole broke down.
Mr Nkiwane said the situation is now sad for the elderly as they cannot walk long distances to fetch water.
“Since October last year, we have been struggling to get water. All along we had only one borehole which we were using but the borehole was damaged.
We are now appealing to the Government to intervene and buy pipes for us.
Teachers are now running away from our schools claiming that they cannot stay in places where there is no water.
Those who were giving people national identity cards struggled to get water until they left.
They were driving their cars to Nkayi Centre whenever they needed water,” he said.
Another villager from ward 10, Mrs Sibonginkosi Sibanda (80), said she cannot walk long distances.
She said she has been surviving by asking for water from her neighbours, a situation which is believed to be taboo in Ndebele culture.
“They used a scotch cart to bring me to this ceremony and that is how I move from point A to point B.
I usually ask for water from my neighbours but I cannot do that every day.
A nearby borehole is now needed.
If we get a borehole then it would be easier, I would be sending my little grandchildren with five litre containers to get me water. May the Government help us please,” said Mrs Sibanda, a mother of 10.
Meanwhile,, Chief Skhobokhobo encouraged villagers to respect war veterans as the country’s independence was a result of the war veterans’ efforts.
“People are now talking bad about the war veterans but those were the only people who managed to change this country from being Rhodesia to being Zimbabwe.
We are now enjoying the fruits of being independent because of the war veterans,” said the chief.
– @ BlehKarubwa.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu