Herald Reporter
WATER Resources Development and Management Minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo had a Senate Committee on Gender and Development in stitches when he alleged that mermaids were preventing Government officials from installing water pumps at dams in Gokwe and Mutare.

Minister Nkomo was presenting evidence on the water supply situation in Zimbabwe when he made the stunning allegations.
He said the problem first occurred in Gokwe when officers installing water pumps at a dam dumped the project vowing not to return to the area because of the mermaids.
"All the officers I have sent have vowed not to go back there and I am now appealing to the chiefs to do what is necessary to correct the problem," he said.

He said a similar situation occurred at Osborne Dam in Manicaland.
Government hired white personnel to do the job but they also refused to undertake the project.

"We even hired whites thinking that our boys did not want to work but they also returned saying they would not return to work there again," he said.

Minister Nkomo said it was necessary to brew traditional beer and carry out any rites to appease the spirits.
Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo who also appeared before the committee concurred that there was need to perform traditional rites at the dams.