One of Bulawayo’s main sources of water, Inyankuni Dam, has only received inflows that equate to 6% of its designed capacity at a time the rain season is drawing to an end amid concerns that rampant illegal gold mining has destroyed its catchment area.
The region has so far enjoyed a very good rainfall season and this has raised hopes among Bulawayo residents that the city’s six supply dams will register significant inflows for the local authority to end a punishing water rationing schedule that has been in place for over a year.
While other dams have shown a steady increase in inflows, Inyankuni remains severely damaged by the effects of illegal gold panning activities in the area.
A recent council update indicated that the city’s supply dams were 49,7% full as of end of February, compared to 42,8% in the same period last year.
Inyakuni has the lowest inflows at 6%, leaving its water levels at 20%, 9% lower than during the same period last year.
Umzingwane Dam, which had dropped to a critical 2% capacity leading to its decommissioning, has seen the highest cumulative increase of 52%.
The dam was recommissioned on January 14 and now stands at 48% full.
Upper Ncema Dam has also recorded significant gains, with water levels rising to 54% after receiving 50% inflows.
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During the same period last year, it was only 17% full.
The dam was recommissioned on February 12.
Insiza Mayfair Dam, which received 22% inflows, now stands at 56%, although it remains 2% lower than last year’s levels.
Lower Ncema recorded a 20% inflow, bringing its levels to 26%.
Mtshabezi Dam has the highest water levels at 80% after receiving 28% cumulative inflows this season, 7% higher than last year.
Bulawayo mayor, David Coltart, has warned that unless authorities take urgent action to curb illegal mining activities, the city’s water security will remain at risk.
“Inyankuni does not have a particularly good catchment area and has rarely spilled,” Coltart said.
“I stand to be corrected, but I believe it may have only spilled once since its construction.”
He explained that the dam was originally built as an additional holding dam and has never traditionally filled up completely.
However, the situation has now worsened due to external factors.
“Every single one of our catchment areas is being affected by illegal gold panning and mining,” he explained.
“The reason our dams are currently sitting at around 50% capacity is primarily due to this issue. It’s not just Inyankuni — Mzingwane, Upper Ncema, and Insiza are also affected.”
Coltart noted that Mtshabezi Dam remained an exception because it has minimal gold mining activity and, as a result, is at a much higher level compared to the others.
“This is a crisis, and unless illegal mining is stopped, the situation will not improve,” he said.
“If action is taken, rehabilitation of the tributaries and streams leading to these dams will be necessary.”
Zinwa spokesperson Merjorie Munyonga said Inyankuni Dam is a big dam, which ordinarily requires at least six good seasons to fill up.
“This is largely due to its relatively small catchment area,” Munyonga said.
“Available records show that the last time the dam filled up was in 1981 and thereafter, the highest it has gone in recent years is 52% in 2021.
“In view of the poor rains that the country received in the 2023/24 season and other prior droughts, the water levels in Inyankuni Dam have remained low.”
Bulawayo has long struggled with water supply challenges, worsened by climate change and environmental degradation.
The city has previously implemented water rationing measures in response to declining supply levels.
With the worsening situation, the authorities may be forced to introduce stricter water conservation policies unless significant rainfall or effective intervention occurs.
Residents and environmental groups have urged the government to take decisive action against illegal mining operations, which are not only threatening the city’s water supply, but also causing widespread land degradation.
