GOKWE Town Council has started drilling solar-powered boreholes following the replacement of equipment that was “stolen” last year under suspicious circumstances.
The local authority invested US$200 000 in six solar-powered boreholes to address the perennial water challenges.
For years, the town had become notorious for water shortages, a development that is attributed to investors shunning the cotton growing town.
Late last year, the local authority lost equipment worth over US$500 000 after a 10-member gang stormed the Gokwe Town Council warehouse, beat up a security guard and looted the property.
The robbers tied up a security guard with ropes, drove an unidentified lorry into the warehouse and loaded property that included new water pumps, stoves, solar panels, vehicle tyres and borehole equipment.
The issue is reportedly still under investigation and no arrests have so far been made regarding the theft.
The theft derailed the setting up of six boreholes across the district.
Gokwe Town Council chairperson, Councillor Never Gwanzura said the local authority managed to purchase the equipment, which had been insured.
He said the contractor is back on site to complete the project.
“We received part of the money from the insurance company and we had to top up from our council coffers and managed to purchase the required equipment. The robbery was a major setback, but I am glad to say we are now back on track,” said Clr Gwanzura.
He said only one borehole had been installed before the thefts with the remaining five now at an advanced stage of completion.
“By the end of this year, we would have done everything. Presently, some are having security electric fences being erected to safeguard the solar panels,” said Clr Gwanzura.
“We are also putting trenches at some of the boreholes and I am glad that the project is progressing well.”
The boreholes will address the water challenges that the district had been facing. Clr Gwanzura said they are optimistic that the water challenge would be a thing of the past.
“We are confident that this will address the water crisis. Everyone should be able to access clean water after the completion of the projects,” he said.
Meanwhile, Clr Gwanzura said the creation of drainage systems has helped curb land degradation in the district.
Gokwe has loose soils that were being washed away creating gullies that threatened key infrastructure like roads and buildings.
“We managed to successfully embark on gully reclamation and after that, we dug drainage systems. The gullies are now contained and there is no further damage expected,” he said. – The Chronicle
