Water crisis in Nkayi, an existential threat to livestock

Syabonga Moyo

NKAYI – Residents of Gwelutshena, Mtshatshane and Mathetshaneni are worried by the prospect of losing large numbers of livestock as a consequence of depletion and drying up of water bodies due to protracted drought in the district.

Ncema and Hodi dams in Gwelutshena and Mtshatshane, respectively, completely dried up last year, further heightening  desperation and panic among community members who had  to find alternative sources of water for their  livestock as many lost their prized beasts to the unforgiving drought. 

This sad development has prompted an appeal from villagers who are calling for the local authority as well as central government to intervene by providing the requisite machinery to resuscitate and replenish the dams.
Ward 4 Councilor, Vinika Ncube, said the local authority is yet to look into the issue of Gwelutshena’s main dam that burst a few years back.

“The dam was the main source of water in the area. As a result, its collapse led to a serious water shortage for both livestock and residents. People are now buying water from other villages like Majuwe that are blessed with boreholes where a 20 litre bucket of water costs USD $1. Imagine if one has ten beasts that require drinking water everyday,”  said Ncube.

Another villager, only identified as Mr Mpofu  claimed that he lost nine of his cattle last year alone as a result dehydration.
“I lost nine beasts last year due to lack of water because we have to literally pump water for these cattle since there are no more functional dams in Mathetshaneni that hold water upto the end of October. Even if we get feeds, the water shortage is insurmountable and hugely affects our cattle rearing projects,” said Mpofu.

Timothy Sibanda, a senior citizen from Mtshatshane Village was kind enough to lead this publication’s crew on a tour of Hodi dam that reportedly dried up in August. The sight of desperate, thirsty looking cattle was a sorry one. 
Sibanda highlighted that there is serious need to channel funds towards reconstruction of dams and other water reservoirs in every ward to ensure the availability of the precious liquid.

“We plead to the local Council and the government (central) to consider the reconstruction of dams and water reservoirs in every ward in Nkayi so that we can sustain our Agriculture. Some families are depending on goat , cattle and pig rearing for a living this side and without water it is an impossible situation,” said Sibanda.

Sibanda added that residents are also struggling for water for domestic use. He said that most people bath using the same water up to three or four times before disposing of the water.

The  clinic in Gwelutshena has no water source and it is a requirement for patients  to bring five litres of water for use at the clinic. Schools in the area have also adopted the same policy as every learner is obliged to bring at least 2 litres of water to school.

The water crisis in these parts is a ticking time bomb which poses a serious health threat to the community, especially during this pandemic period.

Residents have for long been crying out for help without getting it even though they have exhibited remarkable resilience which aught to be rewarded by much needed intervention to ameliorate the humanitarian crisis.

Efforts to reach the Chief Executive Officer of Nkayi Rural District Council, Mr Mudimba were fruitless due to his busy schedule.