“The borehole was drilled to ease water problems in the community and the borehole belongs to neither Zanu (PF) nor MDC,” he told the residents. A MDC activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that it was not the first time the two parties had clashed over the sole borehole in the area.
“Last year, it was the same fight to source water from the borehole. This year, the problem is still persisting and some have promised to spill blood at the borehole,” he said.
The fracas started when some Zanu (PF) stalwarts refused to stand in long queues for water. They later accused their political rivals for monopoly in an effort to tarnish the image of the latter.
“All the drama was sparked by the Zanu (PF)’s women’s league members who falsely told their political leaders that we (MDC) were monopolizing the borehole which was not even true,” said the witness.
A Zanu (PF) stalwart, Nicholas Chikoto confirmed the clash and said:” the MDCs think they own the borehole because it was drilled in their stronghold area.”
President Mugabe has previously made calls for peace among his supporters but no-one has heeded his calls. Efforts to get a comment from the local councillor were futile as her mobile number was constantly unanswered. The ongoing water shortages in Chitungwiza have forced residents to rely heavily on boreholes.
Post published in: News