GOVERNMENT has begun punishing villagers who drill boreholes without registering with the sub-catchment council with the latest being a villager under Mbembesi Sub-catchment Council in Matabeleland North being slapped with a US$205 fine.
Last year, the government threatened to fine people who own boreholes that are unregistered with the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) in the Upper Gwayi Sub-catchment area.
In the latest development, Mbembesi Sub-catchment Council officer Genius Bunene wrote a notice dated February 25, 2025, to one of the offenders, Thandazani Moyo, advising him of his failure to compliance with the catchment regulations.
“According to our records, you have been found to either have commenced drilling a borehole or have drilled a borehole before you registered the aforementioned drilling as required by the provisions of SI 291 of 2020 as read with the Water Act [Chapter 20:24],” the notice read.
“To date you have failed, neglected or refused to comply and, therefore, we are left with no option but to charge you a penalty fee of US$100 and an application fee of US$55 and a registration fee of US$50, a total amount of US$205 according to the above-mentioned Act of law. Failure by you to comply within 14 working days of receiving this letter will result in legal action being taken against you in terms of section 24 of the Water Act [Chapter 20:24] and this letter shall be to you a first demand.”
Contacted for comment, Zinwa spokesperson Marjorie Munyonga said it was being done by the sub-catchment councils.
On September 12, last year, the Upper Gwayi Sub-catchment council at Mhlahlandlela Government Complex in Bulawayo, in a notice signed by one D Mapolisa, warned borehole owners on the requirement for registering boreholes and wells.
“Do you have a well or borehole, is the well or borehole registered with the Upper Gwayi Sub-catchment Council? If your answers are yes to question 1 and no to question 2, please visit our offices and register your well or borehole and pay outstanding levies,” the notice read.
“Failure to do so will attract legal penalties as stipulated in Statutory Instrument 206 of 2001 and section 118 of the Water Act [Chapter 20:24]. Please be advised that it is illegal to use water from a well/borehole without a permit. You are advised to respond to this notice within seven days. Every visit to your property will attract a non-compliance fee of $150, if you fail to respond within the stipulated days, consider this your first visit.”
According to the Water Act all borehole owners should register their boreholes with Zinwa or the nearest catchment council offices.
All prospective borehole owners should get a permit for the drilling of a borehole from Zinwa or the nearest catchment council office.
