Mayor worried by deepening water crisis

Mbekezeli Ncube

Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart has expressed concern over the city’s water situation and has engaged with government ministers to seek solutions.

Posting on X (formerly Twitter) Coltart said “I am deeply concerned by the ongoing dry weather affecting @CityofBulawayo. We have had precious little run off our dams this season and most rivers aren’t flowing after this dry spell. We have very few weeks of the rainy season left.

“In the last few weeks I have written to both the Ministers of Local Government and Water setting out what our short, medium and long term water solutions are. I have asked the central Government to assist BCC as we tackle this crisis.”

Bulawayo’s water crisis is worsening, with the city’s supply dams remaining empty despite recent rains. The city has been implementing a 120-hour water shedding schedule, with some areas going for up to two weeks and more without water.

Coltart has called on residents to conserve water and to report water leaks to the local authority.

“Until we get these measures in place I urge all residents to conserve water and to immediately report water leaks to BCC. We will get through this crisis, but only if we all act responsibly together,” said Coltart.

According to statistics from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority, as of January 12th, the city’s five supply dams are at critically low levels. Umzingwane Dam is 5.2 percent full, Upper Ncema Dam is 23 percent full, Lower Ncema Dam is 11.1 percent full, Mtshabezi Dam is 72.9 percent full, and Insiza Dam is 59.8 percent full.

On the resignation of CCC president, Nelson Chamisa, Coltart said he is consulting his constituents, elders of his church and family on the way forward. The mayor promised to issue a statement before next week