Marythar Kambinda
Aron Mushaukwa
KATIMA MULILO – Over 350 community members of Masambo village in the Kongola constituency have faced a water crisis for over two months after the borehole that was their main source of income broke down.
According to community spokesperson Denis Munyingwa, the issue was reported to the constituency councillors, as well as to the department of rural and water supply in the agriculture ministry to no avail.
Munyingwa further said they rely on the solar-powered borehole, which was built with funds from a community organisation.
However, it cannot sustain the entire community, which includes a local school.
“As it uses solar power, it is a challenge whenever it is cloudy, as it stops pumping water, which has made life very difficult for members of the communities, who at times are forced to go days without water,” said Munyingwa.
He further said, at times, the school is forced to close due to the lack of water, adding that sometimes the rural water supply delivers water to the school; however, it can take up to a month without them doing so.
Munyingwa also highlighted that the nearest water pump is about 6km away, which is also solar-powered and faces similar challenges.
He also explained that since the borehole broke down, it has become very challenging for community members, as this was also the source of water for their livestock.
Approached for comment, Kongola councillor Bennett Busihu confirmed he was aware of the situation.
“When the borehole broke down, I engaged the rural and water supply department, and they promised that they will attend to it. However, they informed me that they were not having transport – and it is unfortunate that it has now taken two months without the problem being addressed,” said Busihu.
Contacted for comment, Zambezi Rural Water Supply head Betty Muyatwa confirmed she was aware of the situation, and that technicians had already visited the area twice but they could not rehabilitate the borehole.
“We had planned to go back – but currently, we don’t have transport. All our vehicles are in the garage. We hope by next week we will have a vehicle so that we can attend to the matter. However, it is not only Masambo; we have a backlog of job cards we need to attend to – but due to transport challenges, we are unable to do so,” explained Muyatwa.