Water scarcity leads to 20 deaths in Zambezi
Drought, govt inaction blamed
The lack of water pipelines and boreholes in the Judea Lyaboloma constituency has driven residents into the mouths of wild animals.
The ongoing water crisis in the Zambezi Region's Judea Lyaboloma constituency has led to the tragic deaths of about 20 people this year, as residents are forced to fetch water from crocodile- and hippo-prone areas.
This alarming situation was confirmed by Mashi conservancy manager Richard Mukube, who told Namibian Sun that the lack of access to potable water has driven people to dangerous areas, including rivers, where the risk of fatal encounters with wildlife is high.
Constituency councillor Humphrey Divai attributed the rise in deaths to escalating human-wildlife conflict caused by the desperate search for water.
"When people go to the river, they face crocodiles and often return late at night. Then there are elephants, as these areas are within national parks. Already, about three people have been killed by elephants, and in another case, someone was attacked by a hippo," he said.
He highlighted that when rivers dry up, animals and humans often converge at the same water points, further increasing the danger. "If we had boreholes and a proper pipeline, people wouldn’t have to go to the river. They could get their water from safer sources.”
Only solution
Divai suggested extending the pipeline from Kongola to Malengalenga and from the Zambezi River to Muyako to reduce the need for residents to fetch water from rivers.
"Once those pipelines are extended, people will have access to water. That's the only solution,” he said, adding that more boreholes need to be drilled to meet the growing demand. He further warned that the existing boreholes might dry up if the government doesn't intervene soon.
"The prime minister has informed the region that funds for water provision are available. Has that money been utilised? The government must be pressured to release those funds to drill boreholes and extend the pipeline, ensuring that water is provided to the people," the councillor said.
He further noted that the water crisis in rural communities across the Zambezi Region is worsening due to ageing infrastructure and depleting water supplies, with some boreholes having completely dried up.
"The majority of rural communities in Judea Lyaboloma constituency and the broader Zambezi Region lack adequate water services. This is due to limited resources and administrative issues, such as the failure to maintain or repair old boreholes. The rural water supply in the region does not stock or procure parts for boreholes, forcing community members to purchase parts themselves to repair government-owned boreholes when they break down," he said.
Human-wildlife conflict escalates
“The ongoing water challenges have led to numerous deaths in the constituency, as human-wildlife conflicts have escalated, particularly at water points like rivers. The 2023/2024 drought has further exacerbated the situation, causing a significant increase in water consumption for both humans and animals,” Divai noted.
Meanwhile, during his State of the Region (SORA) address last month, Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu said only 18 boreholes had been drilled across the region during the last financial year, while 20 boreholes were installed and four water points rehabilitated.
He added that 54 water points were repaired, while a functionality assessment was conducted for 31 water committees.
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This alarming situation was confirmed by Mashi conservancy manager Richard Mukube, who told Namibian Sun that the lack of access to potable water has driven people to dangerous areas, including rivers, where the risk of fatal encounters with wildlife is high.
Constituency councillor Humphrey Divai attributed the rise in deaths to escalating human-wildlife conflict caused by the desperate search for water.
"When people go to the river, they face crocodiles and often return late at night. Then there are elephants, as these areas are within national parks. Already, about three people have been killed by elephants, and in another case, someone was attacked by a hippo," he said.
He highlighted that when rivers dry up, animals and humans often converge at the same water points, further increasing the danger. "If we had boreholes and a proper pipeline, people wouldn’t have to go to the river. They could get their water from safer sources.”
Only solution
Divai suggested extending the pipeline from Kongola to Malengalenga and from the Zambezi River to Muyako to reduce the need for residents to fetch water from rivers.
"Once those pipelines are extended, people will have access to water. That's the only solution,” he said, adding that more boreholes need to be drilled to meet the growing demand. He further warned that the existing boreholes might dry up if the government doesn't intervene soon.
"The prime minister has informed the region that funds for water provision are available. Has that money been utilised? The government must be pressured to release those funds to drill boreholes and extend the pipeline, ensuring that water is provided to the people," the councillor said.
He further noted that the water crisis in rural communities across the Zambezi Region is worsening due to ageing infrastructure and depleting water supplies, with some boreholes having completely dried up.
"The majority of rural communities in Judea Lyaboloma constituency and the broader Zambezi Region lack adequate water services. This is due to limited resources and administrative issues, such as the failure to maintain or repair old boreholes. The rural water supply in the region does not stock or procure parts for boreholes, forcing community members to purchase parts themselves to repair government-owned boreholes when they break down," he said.
Human-wildlife conflict escalates
“The ongoing water challenges have led to numerous deaths in the constituency, as human-wildlife conflicts have escalated, particularly at water points like rivers. The 2023/2024 drought has further exacerbated the situation, causing a significant increase in water consumption for both humans and animals,” Divai noted.
Meanwhile, during his State of the Region (SORA) address last month, Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu said only 18 boreholes had been drilled across the region during the last financial year, while 20 boreholes were installed and four water points rehabilitated.
He added that 54 water points were repaired, while a functionality assessment was conducted for 31 water committees.
[email protected]
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