By Webster Muzulu
The water crisis in Gimboki South has reached another level as a form three girl was on Monday brutally attacked by a man over who was supposed to fetch water first. The incident happened at the Magetsi area of Gimboki around 7pm. All hell broke loose when the man wanted to fetch water ahead of the little girl yet he had arrived at the water source late. The girl refused to allow him to do so and there followed a short clumsy scuffle which ended with the girl being knocked down and collapsing. She was rushed to the hospital in a state of unconsciousness.
Meanwhile, the man became elusive after the swelling crowd began to hunt him to meet instant justice and he is still at large. The water crisis has deepened because most wells have since run dry. The few boreholes in the area can no longer cope with the growing population as most people are flocking to Gimboki for cheap accommodation. With the cholera outbreak in Mutare district being advised, authorities are encouraged to put measures to avail water in this sprawling high density residential area.
Violence over water in Gimboki is not a new phenomenon as this has been happening over the years. “Authorities must quickly take action before we witness fatalities. Our young girls and women risk being raped because they go to fetch water as late as 12 midnight. This also affect the school going girls who will not get enough time to sleep and study, “lamented Nancy Nechavava also known as Mai Huku. Council, in partnership with a donor organization from the Netherlands, is currently digging trenches to lay water pipes for the provision of water in Gimboki. The project should be complete by end of December. Many residents believe it will be all smiles once water is availed but they are worried about lack of immediate solutions
