by BEKEZELA NDEBELE
LUPANE – LUPANE is enduring longer days without running water following a power fault at the Bubi-Lupane Dam, exposing long-standing neglect by the ZANU-PF government in addressing the province’s chronic water crisis.
Lupane is the provincial capital for Matabeleland North.
Since Sunday, taps across Lupane—including Mtshibini, Mqabuko suburbs, the business centre, and Lupane State University—have run dry, leaving households, businesses, and institutions struggling amid soaring temperatures.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) relies entirely on electricity to pump water, and the dam has no backup system to maintain supply during outages.
Ms Florence Magagula, organising secretary of the Lupane Residents and Ratepayers Development Trust, condemned the situation as unacceptable for a provincial capital.
“Every time there is a prolonged power cut, we suffer because ZINWA depends on electricity to pump water from the Bubi-Lupane Dam. This is not just inconvenient; it’s damaging businesses and affecting students at Lupane State University,” she said.
Ms Magagula called for urgent installation of solar power systems or generators at the pumping station to ensure uninterrupted water supply.
The shortage has also exposed communities to public health risks. Ms Sibusisiwe Moyo, representing informal traders, said residents were forced to use nearby bushes when water and sanitation facilities were unavailable, putting women at risk of assault and theft.
Hospitality and business operations have similarly suffered. Guest lodge owner Emmanuel Ndlovu said the lack of water drove away clients, creating a direct financial loss for the local economy.
The water crisis in Lupane is not new and highlights broader infrastructural failings across Matabeleland North. Despite abundant water in local sources, major projects promised by ZANU-PF remain incomplete, leaving communities vulnerable.
The Gwayi-Shangani Dam, intended to secure water for the province, has faced years of delays attributed to **mismanagement, underfunding, and political neglect.
Similarly, the Zambezi-Matabeleland Water Project, launched with fanfare as a solution to chronic water scarcity in Lupane, Hwange, and surrounding districts, remains unfinished, denying communities the benefits of a consistent water supply.
“The government has repeatedly promised solutions, but for years, Matabeleland residents have been left waiting,” said Ms Magagula.
“Lupane has sufficient water, but because the infrastructure is incomplete, we are forced to suffer.”
Water shortages are not just an inconvenience—they directly impact economic activity and public safety.
Small businesses, restaurants, guest lodges, and the hospitality sector face reduced income, while students and households struggle to maintain basic hygiene.
The risk of waterborne diseases and gender-based violence rises when residents are forced to seek alternative sanitation methods.
Critics argue that the ZANU-PF government has systematically neglected Matabeleland, favoring other regions for infrastructure and development projects.
Lupane, despite being a provincial capital and economic hub, remains under-served, with residents bearing the brunt of delayed projects and insufficient planning.
“The lack of water in Lupane is symbolic of the broader marginalisation of Matabeleland,” said a local political analyst.
“Years of promises, half-built dams, and stalled water projects have left communities dependent on unreliable systems. ZANU-PF must be held accountable for failing to deliver essential services.”
Residents continue to call for urgent remedial action, including solar or generator-powered pumping, completion of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam, and accelerated delivery of the Zambezi-Matabeleland Water Project.
Without decisive intervention, the crisis is set to worsen, particularly as the rainy season approaches and power outages intensify.
