ZIMBABWE: Nyaminyami Villagers’ Brown And Yellow Teeth Blamed On Water

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Nyaminyami Villagers’ Brown And Yellow Teeth Blamed On Water

Pindula - June 27, 2026

Chief Negande of Nyaminyami Rural District has raised concerns about poor water quality in his area, saying it is causing widespread tooth discolouration among children and adults.

The traditional leader, born Nkawuso Mpofu, has appealed to the government to urgently provide piped clean water to affected communities.

In a recent interview with NewsDay, the chief said the water villagers are currently drinking is damaging their dental health.

“The water we are drinking is affecting people’s teeth. People have no choice but to drink it because it is the only source available, even though they know it is harming them,” said Chief Negande.

He also said many villagers walk long distances looking for safer water, only to find the same problems elsewhere.

The chief urged the government to send experts to investigate what is causing the tooth discolouration and to check if the area’s water sources are safe.

He said the immediate solution would be for authorities to install piped clean water in the affected communities.

“This is not a new plea. Chiefs in Nyaminyami District have, in the past, appealed for piped water to be connected from Lake Kariba to villages under Chief Negande, Chief Mola, Chief Nebiri and Chief Musambakaruma,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) has started collecting water samples from the area for laboratory testing.

Chief Negande said he hopes the results will help identify the cause of the problem and lead to a lasting solution.

One resident, Saliya Mutale, an elderly woman from the Negande area, said she has lived with the effects of the water since she was a child.

“My teeth started turning brown and yellow when I was still young. People used to laugh at me and say I did not brush my teeth, but the truth is that the water we drink in Negande has too much fluoride. We have no choice but to use borehole water,” she said.

“It has affected how I smile and even how I speak in public. I wish the government and other relevant authorities would help us get clean water or treat the water so that our children do not suffer the same problem.”

Dr Godwin Muza, the Kariba district medical officer, said experts are investigating fluoride levels in local water sources.

“The issue appears to be linked to high fluoride content, which is known to cause dental fluorosis,” Muza said.

SOURCE:
https://news.pindula.co.zw/2026/06/27/n ... -on-water/