Water Supply Service Delivery Dynamics in Mabvuku, Zimbabwe: A Review

Abstract

This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the dynamics of water supply service delivery in Mabvuku, a high-density suburb of Harare, Zimbabwe. The study identifies a triad of interconnected barriers crippling the water sector: pervasive institutional fragmentation and weak governance, catastrophic infrastructure decay and technical incapacity, and profound socio-economic inequities which disproportionately burden the most vulnerable. The review demonstrates that these factors create a self-reinforcing cycle of failure, leading to unreliable supply, public health crises and community distress. Conversely, the analysis reveals that pathways to improvement are evident. These include fostering genuine community participation in water governance, strategic investment in climate-resilient and adaptive infrastructure, and the implementation of supportive policies that create a stable institutional environment. The central conclusion is that technical or financial interventions alone are insufficient. Achieving sustainable water security in Mabvuku and similar contexts requires an integrated, multi-sectoral approach that simultaneously addresses the political, technical, economic and social dimensions of the crisis. This review consolidates existing knowledge to provide actionable recommendations for policymakers and researchers.