Zimbabwe’s Cabinet has approved an agreement that will facilitate the transfer of treated water from Beitbridge Water Treatment Works to Musina Town in South Africa.
In a post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, 12 December, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Jenfan Muswere said the agreement will generate foreign currency for the country. Said Muswere:
Benefits of this agreement include improved water resources co-operation and governance, improved livelihoods for the people of Zimbabwe due to generation of the much-needed foreign currency, strengthened relations and cooperation with the Republic of South Africa.
It will also contribute to the prevention of significant harm in the two riparian States through joint efforts in the management of water resources of the Limpopo watercourse, improved management of water treatment, water supply and sanitation systems in Beitbridge Town due to foreign currency income; and equitable and reasonable utilisation of transboundary water resources.
According to a NewsDay report in 2021, Zimbabwe sealed a multi-million-dollar project to supply bulk water to its neighbour.
Italian company Sallini Construction was reportedly awarded the tender for the project.
The report said initially, water will be drawn from the Tugwi-Mukosi Dam in Masvingo while eventually another dam will be built at the confluence of the Runde and Tende rivers in southern Masvingo to boost supplies.
Sallini Construction would build a pipeline to supply Polokwane, Lois Trichardt, Musina and the special economic zones in both South Africa outside Musina and Beitbridge in Zimbabwe.
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