The development has now forced people, especially women, to draw from boreholes and other unprotected sources to supply water to the facilities for use.

Besides Mfera Health Centre, a similar scenario is at Phimbi primary school in the area of senior chief Makhuwira where hundreds of learners are suffering because their water pump has also been stolen.

Primary Education Advisor, PEA for Mapelera zone, Peter Elias, told Zodiak that there is need for well-wishers to come in and help them saying the current situation at Phimbi is pathetic.

“We are in dire need of urgent support,” said Elias.

At Mikolongo Primary School, which has 1,748 learners and where thieves stole a water pump and six solar panels, children walk close to a kilometer to fetch water at a the nearest borehole.

School head teacher, Felix Farao Phiri, and Parents Teacher Association chairperson, Martin Maseya, said they are hopeful police will follow the incident to its legal conclusion.

“The current situation has forced us to close the girls’ wash rooms for girls in menses,” Phiri said.

The piped water at Mikolongo was provided by the Islamic Relief. It is now back to square one.

“Yes we have received such reports of water pumps and solar panels. As police, we are on the ground searching for the thieves,” said District Police spokesperson Sargent Foster Benjamin.