DESPITE being located along the mighty Zambezi River that separates Zimbabwe and Zambia, many villagers in Kariba are facing acute water shortages, forcing them to walk over 10km to fetch the precious liquid in a dangerous wild animals-infested area.
The water challenges were revealed by Kariba legislator Shine Collin Gwangwaba in an interview yesterday.
He said it is unfortunate that the communities in his constituency cannot draw water from the Zambezi River, which is close to them.
“It’s unfortunate our communities can’t access water from the Zambezi River,” Gwangwaba said.
“People risk attacks by wild animals while walking long distances to fetch water.
“We should get access to Zambezi waters for irrigation and domestic use.”
He said the most affected areas are wards 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10.
Gwangwaba said some of the villagers are very far from the river and this makes them walk the whole day to fetch water, risking their lives in an area with dangerous wild animals.
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Bulls to charge into Zimbabwe gold stocks
- Ndiraya concerned as goals dry up
- Letters: How solar power is transforming African farms
Keep Reading
The Zambezi River has the mainland water body, Lake Kariba, with large volumes of water that are used to generate electricity for both Zimbabwe and Zambia, through the hydroelectric system.
However, despite such a huge water source, the communities in Kariba still complain of water problems 45 years after the country gained independence.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development deputy minister Vangelis Peter Haritatos recently told Parliament that a team is on the ground visiting the Zambezi River to carry out assessments on the accessibility of water to the communities along the river areas and considering the establishment of smallholder agricultural cluster programmes.
Haritatos said the team will carry out assessments so the communities there can enjoy the economies of getting water from the Zambezi River.
