Borehole Controversy: Zinwa Clears Prevail International

By Itai Mazire

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has dismissed claims that government funds were used to pay Prevail Group of Companies USD 16,000 per borehole under the Presidential Rural Development Programme.

In recent weeks, Prevail Group of Companies has been in the spotlight on social media following a tour by a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee, which alleged that boreholes drilled by the company were non-functional.

During the tour, the committee gathered information suggesting that boreholes drilled under the Presidential Borehole Scheme were a “hoax” and that the company had allegedly fleeced government funds at the rate of USD 16,000 per borehole. They argued that the average cost of drilling a borehole should be around USD 5,000.

Under the Presidential Rural Development Programme, ZINWA was mandated as the implementing agency, supervising various contractors.

ZINWA’s Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing, Mrs. Marjorie Munyonga, clarified that contractors under the scheme are only paid for certified works as per their agreed contracts.

“Contractors under the Presidential Rural Development Programme are never paid a flat fee for drilling boreholes. Instead, they establish composite Village Business Units whose typical components include a solar-powered borehole, a drip irrigation horticulture garden, a fishpond, and a community water point,” said Mrs. Munyonga.

She added that the boreholes currently under ZINWA’s supervision were functional.

“ZINWA is the lead implementing agency for the Presidential Rural Development Programme, which is being carried out through various contractors under our supervision. To date, a total of 2,429 boreholes have been equipped and are functional,” she said.

The authority acknowledged that borehole breakdowns do occur but emphasized that such cases are not limited to specific provinces and are attended to once reports are made.

“The work being done by Prevail International is governed by the terms and conditions of their contract. In cases of deviation, ZINWA addresses the matter in line with the provisions of the contract, which require the contractor to carry out remedial work to ensure the functionality of the boreholes.

“While ZINWA is not aware of these specific incidences, communities and community leaders are encouraged to approach their relevant ZINWA offices for assistance if they suspect irregularities,” Mrs. Munyonga explained.

She further urged parliamentarians and local leaders to liaise directly with ZINWA officials in their areas for immediate support and reassured the nation that Prevail is already addressing the reported issues.

“These breakdowns were brought to the attention of the Authority, and the contractor is already attending to them. Some of the identified cases have since been successfully resolved,” she said.