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Sukoluhle Ndlovu Midlands Correspondent
ZVISHAVANE Town Council has engaged Shabanie Mashava Mines (SMM) to write off the mine’s $14 million debt in exchange for the mine’s Runde water pump station to increase water supply in the growing mining town.

In an interview, town council chairperson Councillor Khulekani Ndlovu said his council and SMM were in talks over the write-off of the debt in exchange for the use of the water pump station.

“We have engaged Shabanie Mashava Mines with a proposal to write off the company’s $14 million debt in exchange of the use of Runde water pump station. The deal is still on the negotiating table and nothing concrete has come out for now. Our offer as the council is to offset the company’s debt in exchange for use of the pump station,” he said. Clr Ndlovu said if successful, the deal will result in increased portable water supply in the mining town which is constantly haunted by water woes.

“The success of this deal will result in increased water supply to our town which will be a huge relief considering water shortages we are faced with,” he said.

Clr Ndlovu said the town’s aging water system can barely sustain the pressure exerted by the fast growing population.

“Due to mining activities and the opening of Midlands State University , our population is fast growing and the old water system cannot sustain the pressure. The system therefore, needs to be changed to sustain the pressure,” he said. Clr Ndlovu said the local authority intends to build water reservoirs in suburbs that are most hit by water shortages. “We want to construct water reservoirs to avert water crises especially in residential areas like Eastlea, Isaiah Park and Lot 4 because these areas do not have constant water supply,” he said.

The mining town is owed over $40 million by residents and companies in unpaid water, rates and rentals services.