ALVINA CHIWANIKA
MIRROR REPORTER

SHURUGWI – A Shurugwi artisanal miner has drilled two boreholes at Zvamabande Rural Hospital and at Mzimba Village in Ward to alleviate water challenges.
He told The Mirror that his vision is to transform livelihoods in the district by ploughing back to the community.
Ward 9 is one of the areas most affected by water shortages.
“I decided to sink two boreholes in this area to cater for the community and the local irrigation scheme. The boreholes are 200 meters apart. I used US$3 000 for the project and we will be back in two weeks’ time to install a solar system, water storage tanks and fence the irrigation scheme borehole.
“The other borehole is at Zvamabande Hospital since there is water crisis. I believe patients and nurses will be served. I embarked on the project after heading the call to action by our resident Minister Owen Ncube that the business community should come in and help curb the water crisis at the hospital,” said Muchechetere.
Mabasa Phiri donated his field in which the community borehole was drilled in. He said it was his contribution for the betterment of his community.
“We don’t have gardens because of water shortages so its better I donate this field so that we have a community garden where we can sell vegetables and earn a living,” said Phiri.
Tongogara Rural District Ward 10 Councillor Murashiki said the situation at Zvamabande was dire as most boreholes had dried up.
“Zinwa is failing to meet water demands at Zvamabande Rural Hospital due to load shedding in the district. We have about three boreholes and we get three buckets per day per each borehole.
“The water is rusty and not conducive to drink and wash clothes. I believe this borehole will save the hospital and the community at large” said Murashiki.