Story by Gay Matambo
ERRATIC water supplies have been the order of the day in Chiredzi, heightening fears of water-borne diseases in the sugar-producing town.
The issue was topical as the Chiredzi Town Council embarked on the 2025 budget consultations this week.
“We need the council to prioritise upgrading the town’s water system. We also expect the council management, councillors and stakeholders to co-exist for the development of our town and we also hope they implement what has been forwarded to them by stakeholders,” said Chiredzi Low and Medium Density Residents Association Vice Chairman, Mr Kennedy Javangwe.
“We are expecting the council to work on improving the water supply situation in our town. We want the council to follow the no compromise to service delivery blueprint,” noted Mr Jonathan Shoniwa, Chiredzi Residents and Rate Payers Association Chairman.
Chiredzi Town Council Water Superintendent, Mr Simbarashe Bhasera highlighted how the current water system is pumping 8 megalitres per day against a daily demand of 15 megalitres.
“We have areas which get water, and we also have areas which are not getting water at all. These include Wards 5, 7, 2, and part of 8. The treatment work was designed in 1986, and it was meant for only 7000 people today it has not been upgraded hence the water is not enough,” he said.
Meanwhile, the devolution funds have come in handy in Chiredzi where the local authority is constructing a health facility and a school as explained by Chiredzi Town chairman, Councillor Jameson Charumbira.
“As a council, we are doing budget consultations and today we are with the residents associations. In 2024 we managed to do projects which include the Makondo clinic which is 90% complete. We also constructed the Makondo Bridge. We are also building another school, Lowlands Primary School. We have many plans for 2025, but the major one is on water. We want to upgrade our waterworks,” he noted.
Urban councils have been under the spotlight for poor service delivery, with central government coming to the rescue of residents through the devolution programme.
