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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
Chivi Rural District Council is considering drawing water from Tugwi-Mukosi Dam to end perennial water problems at Ngundu Growth Point. The growth point, which is located along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway, is arguably the busiest urban settlement in Chivi, but its growth and expansion is being hampered by severe water shortages.

Chivi RDC chair Councillor Godfrey Mukungunugwa said they were concerned about the water challenges at Ngundu, saying a permanent solution was required for the urban settlement to reach its full growth potential.

Clr Mukungunungwa said council wanted Ngundu to be upgraded into a town, but water woes were threatening the move.

“We envisage a situation where we will be allowed to draw water from Tugwi-Mukosi Dam to supply Ngundu Growth Point,” he said. “This will ease water challenges faced by more than 3 000 residents at the busy business centre.”

Clr Mukungunugwa said Ngundu was drawing water from Banga Dam, which was now failing to cope with demand.

“Water for the growth point is being pumped from Banga Dam and it seems the dam is overwhelmed because there are also 300 smallholder farmers using the same water for irrigation,” he said.

“As if that is not enough, the dam is drying up fast and if rains do not fall in the near future the situation will become dire for humans and livestock at Ngundu and surrounding areas.’’

Residents of Ngundu said drawing water from Tugwi-Mukosi was the only solution to end shortages at the sprawling growth point.

Ngundu has experienced a population boom over the last decade due to burgeoning rural to urban migration.

The growth point was billed to receive new investment due to the knock on effect from vast opportunities at the nearby Tugwi-Mukosi Dam, which is Zimbabwe’s largest inland dam.