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Farirai Machivenyika  Senior Reporter
WATER, Environment and Climate Minister Cde Saviour Kasukuwere yesterday dissolved the Zimbabwe National Water Authority board after expressing displeasure with their response to flooding at Tokwe-Mukosi Dam, which has put the lives of over 60 000 people at risk.Minister Kasukuwere said this while presenting a ministerial statement on the flooding at Tokwe-Mukosi in the National Assembly.
Engineer Daniel Mackenzie Ncube chaired the board, deputised by Mr Andy Mhanga.

Other members were Eng Ian Mutunzi, Mrs Josephine Ncube, Mr Pitiel Mujuru, Mr Elijah Mathe, Dr Beauty Basile, Mrs Francisca Zinyemba, Eng Vavarirai Choga and Eng Albert Muyambo (chief executive).
“I have . . . dissolved the Zinwa board forthwith and a new board will be announced soon.

‘‘I want to assure honourable members here present and the nation at large that all systems have been activated to ensure that our infrastructure (dam wall) is secure,” he said.

In an interview afterwards, Minister Kasukuwere said the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Prince Mupazviriho, and other officials would run Zinwa’s affairs until a substantive board is appointed in the next two weeks.

“This board has allowed the situation to get to this stage and there was no reason for them to stay in office any day longer. We will be appointing hands-on people with the technical expertise in the new board,” he said.

The minister also said a team of five engineers had been appointed to conduct an independent assessment of the situation at Tokwe-Mukosi Dam, while others from the University of Zimbabwe had volunteered to assist.

In his address to parliamentarians, Minister Kasukuwere said water levels rose dramatically on January 27 resulting in the floods.
“The flood on January 27 and over a 24-hour period, a 17,3m rise in water levels was experienced giving a water depth of 38,28m. By February 5 water levels stood at 672,5m giving a water depth of 56,6m which was already 12,5m above the maximum 44m anticipated depth.

“The total annual flow at the site from the 40-year records is 300 million cubic metres. To date (February 11) the flow through the site has been 800 million cubic metres over a two-week period,” he said.

Minister Kasukuwere said they had adopted a number of measures to safeguard the dam wall.
“Raising the kerb to avoid overtopping of the dam which is now at level 682,4m which is 66,4m in height. Work on raising the kerb to avoid overtopping has been kept ahead of the rising flood waters. To date the kerb is 66,4 m high versus the depth of the flood waters which currently stands at 61,39m giving a 5-metre buffer above the flood waters. The plan is maintain that buffer to avoid overtopping,” he said.

He added that a channel at level 680m which is above the river bed has been excavated to provide an additional water discharge outlet through the right bank spillway.

The dam is being constructed by Italian company Salini Impregilo with Zinwa as the project engineer.