adminMashudu Mambo
VILLAGERS from Malala in Beitbridge West in Matabeleland South province were left stranded after thieves raided their community garden which is one of their main sources of income and stole a water pump.
Speaking to B-Metro Chief Sitaudze, born David Mbedzi, said the theft of the water pump was a major blow to the villagers as some of them depended entirely on vegetable farming.
“Last week, thieves stole a water pump from the community garden and this has forced a number of people to move long distances to fetch water for their vegetables which are now at a risk of dying as a result of the scorching heat.
“This has affected a number of families as some depend on vegetable farming for survival. In these gardens, they grow different crops like tomatoes, vegetables and beans,” said Chief Sitaudze.
Chief Sitaudze appealed to both the community and the police to hunt down the suspects and help recover the water pump.
“We are appealing to the police to help us recover the stolen water pump because the villagers are struggling to raise money to buy another one,” said Chief Sitaudze.
A community member, Livhuwani Ndou said the situation was devastating as they were left with no option than to walk long distances to get water from the boreholes to water their vegetables.
“We are now forced to walk long distances to get water for our vegetables and this has been a major blow to us as we can no longer water our crops regularly because the nearest borehole is very far from our gardens.
“We have old women who also depend on vegetable farming and they are not able to walk the long distance to fetch water for their vegetables and this is a big challenge for them as their vegetables are now wilting,” she said.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena said they were yet to receive a report of the stolen water pump.
Last year, thieves raided Beitbridge West primary schools Mtetengwe and Makakavhule where they got away with transformers and solar panels.
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
