Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Zimpapers Reporter
TECHNOLOGY adoption is winning the battle against vandalism and theft of critical water and electricity infrastructure at the Nyamandlovu Aquifer boreholes, resulting in improved water pumping capacity.
As part of target hardening to curb vandalism pumping disruptions, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) has installed automatic switches and alarm systems on 22 out of 29 transformers, and the results are impressive.
The water utility is working closely with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), showcasing the impact and grand success of the “Whole-of-Government Approach” in tackling criminal elements.
Yesterday an inter-ministerial delegation visited the Epping Forest Pump Station led by Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka, and was briefed about how collaborative efforts have eased vandalism and improved water supplies to Bulawayo.
Dr Masuka was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Retired Brigadier General, Levy Mayihlome, among other senior Government officials.
Zinwa director of engineering and hydrological services, Engineer Takudza Makwangudze, said technology upgrades have become a game changer in protecting the pumping infrastructure.
This has enabled Zinwa to increase water supply to Bulawayo to a record 25,8 megalitres per day, a significant rise from as low as three megalitres in the past.
“We had serious problems with criminals vandalising infrastructure and as Zinwa, we came up with technologies together with Zesa to combat these illicit activities. Thieves used to steal our transformers and cables soon after replacement,” said Eng Makwangudze.
He said this compromised Zinwa’s capacity to supply water to Bulawayo.
“We’ve installed variable speed drives on our boreholes and this has enabled us to deal with power surges, which used to affect us,” he added.
Eng Makwangudze said the automatic switches have made their work easier in that previously, in the case of a power outage, their operators would go round and manually switch on every borehole and that would take a lot of time while increasing the down time in terms of pumping water.
However, with the latest development on automated switches, whenever power is up, all the switches automatically turn on.
“This technology has seen us being able to pump 25 megalitres per day from as low as three megalitres in the past.
We want to applaud our colleagues from Zesa for installing the alarm system on 22 transformers,” said Eng Makwangudze.
He said the ultimate goal is to install the alarm system on all the 29 transformers and also cameras.
According to Eng Makwangudze, any activity that happens around the transformers will trigger the alarm and the signal is sent to the phones of Zesa and Zinwa employees.
Dr Masuka and Rtd Brig Gen Mayihlome and their team were then taken on a tour of the Epping and Rotchester pump stations where they observed how the alarm system works.
Minister Masuka applauded both Zinwa and Zesa officials for embracing technology in the fight against vandalism.
The delegation was told that the system can also run off the grid, meaning even if there is no electricity, the alarm will still trigger an alert.
“Vandalising and stealing of such critical items like transformers and power cables, to us, is more than just theft, its sabotage so such malcontents must face the full wrath of the law,” said Dr Masuka.
As part of tightening security around the transformers, Dr Masuka said the two parastatals must consider installing solar-powered cameras so that they can be able to identify criminals attempting to vandalise the infrastructure.
“Sometimes the response teams may delay getting to the crime scene but with cameras, you will be able to identify the suspects. I also heard that the system automatically reports to Zinwa and Zesa staff,” he said.
“Our security apparatus must also be added on this system. Members of the Joint Operations Command from both Matabeleland North and Bulawayo should be on this system.”
Bulawayo Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Paul Nyoni, also attended the tour, representing Minister Judith Ncube.
The entourage ended the day’s event by visiting Anju Farm, owned by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) where Minister Masuka urged prison officials to capacitate the inmates working at the farm by ensuring that they get qualification certificates upon their release.
