Gift Mashoko

The District Development Fund (DDF) is working tirelessly to restore boreholes in Cyclone Idai hit areas of Chimanimani and Chipinge.

The DDF District Maintenance Team is repairing boreholes and has so far worked on Mupererezu Water Point which serves Chibuwe, Nenhowe and Nemaramba Communities.

The DDF has also managed to rehabilitate the borehole at Tonhorai Township where they are carrying out borehole flushing since the boreholes had become flooded and siltation levels had risen. The flashing exercise is expected to clean the water of all undesirable particles in the borehole water. Flushing was also done at Nembare Village water point.

The need for these boreholes was highlighted by Village Health worker, Tsitsi Manyange who said people were using unprotected sources of water which would result in water borne diseases like Cholera.

“Our borehole is not working so people come to Odzi River to fetch water to use for cooking and drinking. Other people bath in the same river. People do not boil water on top of that. Cholera cases might sprout if the water crisis is not dealt with,” she said.

She also commended the DDF for rehabilitating the boreholes. She said this was a welcome move because if delayed, Cholera cases might develop.

Twenty two boreholes require rehabilitation in Chimanimani District and so far, four boreholes have been rehabilitated. This rehabilitation is necessary because clean water is needed to avoid water borne diseases like Cholera, typhoid and bilharzia.