CCC MP Praises President Mnangagwa, Adviser Tungwarara Over Borehole Project in Budiriro

CCC MP Susan Matsunga

HARARE – Budiriro North legislator Susan Matsunga has publicly praised President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his adviser Paul Tungwarara following the commissioning of boreholes in Mufakose and Budiriro, in a development that underscores shifting political dynamics in Harare’s opposition strongholds. The boreholes were officially handed over on Tuesday under the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme, a government-backed initiative aimed at improving access to clean water in urban and peri-urban communities.

The event, held in Budiriro North Constituency, drew senior figures from the ruling ZANU PF, including businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei and party official Godwills Masimirembwa. Budiriro North has traditionally been considered an opposition stronghold, making the development politically significant ahead of ongoing debates over service delivery in urban areas.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Matsunga expressed gratitude to the President and his representative for delivering the project.

“I want to thank His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe, Baba Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, in absentia. Muripo musipo nhume yenyu yasvika… Baba Tungwarara and the development they have brought into Budiriro North,” she said.

“Baba hamuna kutarisa kuti muri baba vemhuri iyi muri baba vemhuri yese… We are happy, we are proud of you. We have never seen this miracle,” she added.

The Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme has increasingly become a focal point in Zimbabwe’s political contestation, particularly in urban constituencies where access to clean water remains a persistent challenge.

Analysts say such projects are being used by the ruling party to demonstrate service delivery capacity while highlighting shortcomings by opposition-led local authorities. Political analyst Dr. Vivid Gwede said the optics of opposition MPs endorsing government initiatives could signal shifting alliances or pragmatic cooperation.

“In areas where residents face acute service delivery challenges, politicians may prioritise development outcomes over partisan positioning,” he said.

Matsunga retained her parliamentary seat following internal changes within the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), led by Sengezo Tshabangu, which have reshaped the opposition’s parliamentary structure since 2023. Her remarks come at a time of heightened political debate, with both ruling and opposition parties seeking to consolidate influence in urban constituencies.

Residents in Budiriro and surrounding suburbs have long faced water shortages, often relying on boreholes as a primary source of clean water. Community members at the event welcomed the development.

“Water is a daily struggle here. If more boreholes are drilled, it will make a real difference in our lives,” said one resident.

While the project has been welcomed by locals, it also raises broader questions about governance, service delivery responsibilities, and the role of the central government in urban infrastructure. As Zimbabwe continues to grapple with water shortages and infrastructure challenges, initiatives like the borehole scheme are likely to remain central to both development efforts and political narratives.

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