By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Kariba – The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has successfully completed a leakage test on Sluice 6 at Kariba Dam, marking the final milestone in the dam’s ongoing rehabilitation project. With this test, all six sluices at the dam are now fully operational, ensuring enhanced safety and longevity for the critical infrastructure.
The controlled test involved the monitored release of approximately 1,500 cubic metres of water. Engineers closely observed the process, confirming that leakage levels remained below 10%, a benchmark indicating proper functionality.
In a video shared by the Ministry of Information, Engineer Mnesu Shemudzi, Planning Officer with the ZRA, said, “Today, the 21st of August 2025, we have just finished the opening of sluice gate number six, and it was successful. Since April 2, we have sequentially tested sluices 1 through 5, and all have passed their leakage tests successfully.”
He added, “This is a significant achievement and a milestone worth celebrating. Everything is working according to plan. The amount of water used for this test is minimal—equivalent to about three seconds of power generation so it has no impact on electricity production. This project is critical for extending the lifespan and safety of Kariba Dam.”
The successful completion of the Sluice 6 test brings to a close a major phase of the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project (KTRP), part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the dam’s infrastructure and ensure reliable power generation for the region.
Engineer Shemudzi encouraged the public to engage with the ZRA through social media and other official platforms for further updates and inquiries about the project.