People in traditional authorities (T/As) Mpama and Chitera in Chiradzulu have expressed concern with vandalism of boreholes, saying the vice has worsened water access in the district.
Speaking on Friday the sidelines of a borehole rehabilitation exercise by Pacific Limited, group village head Poya from T/A Mpama said about five boreholes have been vandalised in his area since January this year.
“I suspect the perpetrators are stealing the equipment to sell to scrap metal dealers, although we have not yet apprehended any suspects,” he said.
Village head Mchanawo from T/A Chitera echoed the concerns, saying communities have activated village vigilance committees to guard boreholes day and night.
Community member Stella Mowele from Mchanawo Village in T/A Chitera said the vandalism has forced women to rely on few functional boreholes in neighbouring villages.
“We wake up as early as 4am to fetch water from neighbouring villages. We spend long hours due to the distance and long queues. This has affected us as we have little time left for productive activities such as farming,” she said.
Pacific Limited Borehole Rehabilitation team leader Fadeweck James said the company plans to rehabilitate over 70 boreholes by the end of next month.
“Of these, 25 were vandalised,” he said.
Chiradzulu Nyungwe legislator Mwayi Ndalama (Democratic Progressive Party) commended the company for responding to the water challenges and urged other corporate players to emulate the gesture to ensure people access clean water.
Pacific Limited launched the borehole rehabilitation initiative in 2015 and has since repaired more than 9 000 boreholes across the country.
Pacific Limited technicians repairing a borehole. | Ayami Mkwanda
