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Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
MUTARE City Council has finally stepped in to address the long-standing water and sanitation crisis in the Gimboki settlement, which has been plagued by lack of proper sanitary and access to safe water for the past 17 years.
Town Clerk, Mr Blessing Chafesuka said the council’s timely intervention aims to provide clean water to the area, starting with Phase One by next week.
With the water lines now connected, every household in Gimboki can connect to the water supply, marking a significant milestone in improving the health and safety of residents.
The council’s efforts are driven by concerns that Gimboki’s unsanitary conditions make it a breeding ground for diseases like malaria, cholera, typhoid and dysentery, which could have far-reaching consequences for the city.
The latest development is part of the council’s broader efforts to upgrade Mutare’s water infrastructure, which includes plans to construct a new US$30 million water treatment plant, funded by the African Development Bank.
The project aims to address the city’s growing water demands and alleviate the hidden water deficit, currently estimated at 17-megaliters per day.
Mr Chafesuka, in a recent interview, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the development in Gimboki, stating that it is a result of the partnership between Mutare City Council, various partners and residents.
He acknowledged that the housing project has been a longstanding challenge for Mutare since 2007, with a Government probe in 2015 uncovering irregularities, including mishandling of funds by cooperatives.
The area’s inadequate water supply, reliant on a few boreholes, has struggled to cope with the growing population, posing serious health risks to residents.
Mr Chafesuka also noted that while issues of double and triple allocations remain a concern, the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities was addressing the matter.
“We recognised that the area posed a significant risk for the spread of deadly diseases. The positive development is that we are now able to provide them with water. Essential services and social amenities, such as health and education, are already available. As Mutare City Council, we have been working closely with our partners, residents and the local council to make this a reality.
“We have already installed a water line in Gimboki Phase One, which means every property can now connect to the system. Starting next week, they will have access to clean water connections. In other phases, some water lines are still being installed. For now, we are billing for water to cover some of the associated costs. Diseases like cholera can spread quickly and affect anyone, so this intervention is timely. We are confident that the community will appreciate these efforts,” said Mr Chafesuka.
Residents interviewed were ecstatic.
“We are overjoyed that water is finally being availed to our area,” said Mrs Gambe of Gimboki Phase 1A.
“For the past 12 years, we endured walking long distances, carrying heavy buckets of water often unsafe to drink. This is such a relief. We would wake up as early as 2am just to fetch water. For a long time, we have been relying on streams, which was a major health risk. Lack of water also led to sewage problems. We truly thank God for this positive development,” she added.
Another resident, Mrs Muzano said: “It was really difficult living without clean water, and the situation was getting worse by the day. This development is a great blessing, and we are all extremely grateful. It is a relief knowing that our health and daily lives are no longer at risk.”
Online Reporter