Karoi solar powered borehole vandalized

Source: Karoi solar powered borehole vandalized -Newsday Zimbabwe

A-SOLAR powered borehole installed by Karoi town council in Ward 4 in March has been vandalized exposing residents to water challenges, NewsDay has learnt.

Residents told NewsDay that the water taps were vandalized two weeks ago.

Chenai Mukara, a local vendor, said as a result residents experienced a dry Christmas holiday.

‘‘The majority of residents in wards 4 and 5 rely on the water from the solar powered borehole.  The vandalism affected households that are not getting water from Zimbabwe National Water Authority due to power cuts of late. Generally women and girls bear the brunt of fetching water around town,’’ Mukara said.

Karoi town council chairperson Abel Matsika said the local authority is working on measures to protect the affected areas.

‘‘The vandalism of a solar powered borehole is an unfortunate scenario for the council and community at large. The vandalism of taps is self-destructive and retrogressive.  We do not expect that from the same citizens whose livelihoods council is trying to uplift,’’ Matsika said.

 ‘‘The behaviour of vandalising the borehole is uncalled for. We call on the residents to come up with committees that will help in increasing security at the boreholes and regularise their use and time intervals on when water can be secured.”

Richmore Karusa who resides near the boreholes challenged council to be committed on security issues, adding that the solar panels could also be stolen.

 ‘‘When the borehole was installed, we were assured that the council would deploy its security to the borehole site just like any other essential service provided, which is guarded overnight. This has not been the case, and this is the unfortunate result affecting us all,’’ Karusa said.

He said residents are failing to get clean water from the borehole.

‘‘It is now a challenge to get clean water from the solar powered borehole after the water taps were removed by vandals.”

Karoi council paid US$2 220.00 and $1 228 395.00 for the installation of the solar powered borehole in ward 4 as part of capital expenditure during the 2022 budget.

The borehole was officially handed over by Zanu PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri three days before the by-elections.

Citizens Coalition for Change candidate Rhoda Jaji won against Zanu PF Solomon Chikwerengwe