Gold panners vandalise water pipes in Kwekwe

Kwekwe (New Ziana) – The City of Kwekwe has resolved to engage the Zimbabwe Republic Police to arrest female gold panners suspected of vandalizing water pipes in Amaveni suburb to access water to purify their gold ore.

Speaking in a council meeting, councillors blamed the gold panners for damaging infrastructure in the suburb, causing disruptions of water supplies.

Acting town clerk, Lucia Mkandla said there had been a spike in vandalism of pipes, including by urban farmers in open spaces in various parts of the city.

She suggested that, in the case of farmers, their crops be destroyed.

The director of works, engineer John Mhike said council had embarked on a sewer upgrading exercise in Amaveni and Mbizo high density suburbs to the tune of $2 538 000.

In Amaveni, he said, council was upgrading the sewer line that connects Kushinga Primary School and Amaveni flats.

He said the upgrading of the sewer line from Mbizo Section 8 to the pump station was abandoned at the BP Service Station due to lack of funding.

Meanwhile, Mhike said the the local authority will use $1 364 000 from Devolution Funds to reseal the Railway Avenue and Mbizo roads which are in a deplorable state.

Kwekwe City Council has so far received $292 000 out of $3.9 million allocation from ZINARA for road upgrading and maintenance.

New Ziana