Disgruntled workers suspected of sabotaging Masvin...

Disgruntled workers suspected of sabotaging Masvingo water supply

Zim Now Writer

Residents of Zimbabwe’s oldest city, Masvingo, recently went for almost a week without water after suspected saboteurs emptied 25 mega-litres of treated water worth thousands of dollars from the City’s two Target Kopje water reservoirs.

Masvingo City water and sewer works committee chairman, Councillor Sengerai Manyanga said investigations to find the culprits are underway and security has been beefed up at the water tanks.

Council sources say there are some former and current workers who are not happy with new management at the city and are determined to disrupt the smooth operations of the City.

The sources said current or former engineering department workers conversant with the City’s water works must have sneaked into the tanks at night and opened valves, releasing the water after evading the two guards at the waterworks.

Water flowed downhill, flooding roads and neighbouring suburbs.

After the incident, Council filled the tanks twice before cleaning them with treated water which they then emptied. They only started resupplying the city when they were satisfied that there was no poisoning.

The tanks are the only water reservoirs for the city and are understood to have a combined carrying capacity of about 25 megalitres.

“I will have to check with the engineer to confirm if the culprit was identified. The engineer was handling the investigations since this falls under his portfolio. Council has beefed up security at the tanks to avoid such incidents in future,” said Manyanga.

In the past, the tanks were manned by two unarmed municipal police officers and the number has been increased to eight armed officers.