Applied Science

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Faculty of Applied Science

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A Proportional Hazard model to establish factors that are significant in child survival.
(IOSR, 2014) Musizvingoza, R.; Mwembe, D.; Nyamugure, P.
This study addresses important issues affecting under-five mortality in Zimbabwe. The objective of this research is to establish factors that are significantly impacting on child survival and to determine the survival rate of children under the age of five years. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier estimator were used for data analysis. Child survival was significantly influenced by two predictor variables, breastfeeding and immunisation status (p< 0.05). The Hazard ratios for variable breastfeeding and immunisation are 2.806 and 4.778 respectively. The survival functions for the children indicate a high survival rate especially in children who are well breastfed and those who are fully immunised. This study supports health policy interventions that enhance child survival. Immunisation and breastfeeding should be encouraged among mothers to enhance child survival.
A study of scavenging poultry gastrointestinal and ecto-parasites in rural areas of Matebeleland Province, Zimbabwe.
(Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2010) Dube, S.; Zindi, P.; Mbanga, J.; Dube, C.
A study was carried out to determine endo and ecto-parasites in Matebeleland North and South from free range chickens (Gallus domesticus). Only adult chickens were selected for determination of parasite. For intestinal parasites microscopic studies of eggs and faecal egg counts were done using the salt floatation technique. The endo parasites encountered in the study were Tetrameres americana, Acuaria hamulosa, Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, H. dispar, Allodapa suctoria, Capillaria annulate, Raillietina echinobothrida and R. tetragona. A commercially prepared insecticide constituted as follows (0.02% Tetamethrin, 0.03% pramethrin and 0.034% Imiprothrin) was applied for 2 seconds and feathers were then gentle unruffled so that ectoparasites could be counted and identified. Ecto parasites recorded in this study were Menopon gallinae, Menacanthus stramineus, Dermanyssus gallinae, Argas persicus, Ornithonyssus bursa, Cnemidocoptes mutans, Echidnophaga gallinacean, Gonocoites gallinae and Gonocoites hologester.
A Survey of the University Students’ Perspectives about Using Digital Technologies in Education: Zimbabwean Case
(2017) Dube, S; Scott, E
This study investigated the perspectives of university students on the use of digital technologies as tools for teaching and learning. Digital technologies are an essential asset for academic institutions as they can support strategic teaching and learning objectives for education institutions. Studies have shown that limited use of digital technologies could lead to a second order digital divide. This problem negatively impacts the Government and university efforts and initiatives of increased technological investment. There is therefore a need to uncover and obtain a deeper insight into university students’ perspectives due to the sparse literature discussing this problem within the Zimbabwean context. Quantitative data on student perspectives was collected using 100 questionnaires administered to students at a single university of technology in Zimbabwe. Although the findings concur with existing literature that students highly value the integration of technology into their learning process, there were issues that appeared to be peculiar to the surveyed environment. For example, the surveyed students professed disappointment with the current traditional teaching methods despite the high availability and accessibility to digital technologies within the institution. They indicated their frustration emanating from the disconnection between commonly used teaching methods and the digital technologies effective for teaching and learning
Activities of glutamate dehydrogenase and aspartate and alanine aminotransferases in freshwater snails Helisoma duryi and Lymnaea natalensis exposed to copper.
(Biomarkers, 2003) Masola, B.; Chibi, M.; Naik, Yogeshkumar S.; Kandere, E.; Zaranyika, M.F.
In this paper we investigate the potential of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST and ALT) as biomarkers of water pollution due to copper in the freshwater snails Helisoma duryi and Lymnaea natalensis. Snails were dosed with copper(II) ion concentrations of 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg kg(-1) breeding water for a period of 96 h, after which those surviving were shelled. The copper content in the breeding water, in whole snail tissue and in the snail shells was determined at the end of the period of exposure. For enzyme determinations, whole snail tissue was first homogenized and fractionated by centrifugation at 500 g to remove the nuclei. The resulting supernatant was then centrifuged at 10,000 g to give a pellet fraction representing the mitochondrial fraction and a supernatant representing the cytosolic fraction. Copper was very toxic to both snail species at concentrations above 0.2 mg l(-1), with only 3% of the Helisoma and 12% of the Lymnaea surviving at concentrations of approximately 1 mg l(-1). The copper content in the shells and tissues of snails rose with increasing copper concentration in the breeding water, and was 2.1- to 4.9-fold in snails exposed to copper ion at a dose of 1 mg kg(-1) water compared with undosed snails. Similarly, the activities of GDH and AST rose by up to 4.7-fold in the homogenate and the mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions with increasing concentrations of copper. These activities, however, fell at copper concentrations of approximately 1 mg l(-1), which coincided with massive death of snails. Mitochondrial ALT disappeared at copper ion concentrations of approximately 0.2 mg l(-1) for Lymnaea and 1 mg l(-1) for Helisoma, possibly indicating mitochondrial degeneration. These results show that GDH, AST and ALT have the potential to be biomarkers of sublethal copper pollution in these two snail species, since their activities were significantly altered by low copper concentrations.
Acute effects of beetroot juice ingestion on blood flow and blood pressure in diabetic patients with early-stage peripheral artery disease
(NUST, 2021) Tityiwe, J.S.; Crofts, G.; Newton-Hughes, A.; Azangwe, G.; Comfort, P.
The objective of the study was to determine the acute effects of beetroot juice ingestion on blood flow and blood pressure in diabetic patients with early-stage peripheral arterial disease compared to non-diabetic controls. In this quasi-experimental cohort study of 35 Black-African diabetic patients and 36 non-diabetic controls, peak systolic velocity (PSV), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were utilised to assess blood flow in the popliteal arteries (PA) basally, 90 minutes, 150 minutes, and 210 minutes-post-ingestion of beetroot juice both between and within groups. A two-way analysis of variance with Benferroni post-hoc analysis were performed to compare the two groups across 4-time points after the intake of beetroot juice. One sample and two-sample t-tests with Cohen’s d effects sizes were performed to determine whether any changes in dependant variables were significant and meaningful within and between groups. Within groups, PSV, SBP and DBP reduced significantly and meaningfully during baseline to 90 minutes and 150 minutes-210 minutes’ time points (P≤ 0.02; d≤ 1.70). However, no significant or meaningful change (P≤ 0.9; d≤ 0.29) occurred in PSV, SBP and DBP during the 90 minutes to 150 minutes’ time point. Between groups, PSV and DBP were significantly and meaningfully higher (P≤ 0.04; d≤ 1.95) in diabetic patients at baseline. At 90 minutes and 150 minutes PSV remained higher in diabetic patients (P≤ 0.04; d≤ 1.30) unlike SBP (P≤ 0.8; d≤ 0.34). At 210 minutes, PSV and SBP did not change significantly or meaningfully (P≤ 0.59; d≤ 0.18) between groups while DBP showed no significant or meaningful difference (P≤ 0.7; d≤ 0.33) between the groups at all the time points. The combined group effects were significant for PSV (diff≤ 20.0 cm/s; P< 0.0001) across all the time points except between 90 minutes to 150 minutes (diff= 0.4 cm/s; P= 1.0) The combined group effects were significant for SBP (diff≤ 22.01 mmHg; P< 0.0001) amongst all the time points except 90 minutes to 150 minutes time point (diff= 1.2 mmHg; P= 1.00) and finally the combined group effects for DBP were significant and meaningful (diff≤ 13.4 mmHg; P< 0.0001) amongst all the time points except 90 minutes to 150 minutes (diff= 1.34 mmHg; P= 1.00) after beetroot juice ingestions. The acute effects of beetroot juice on the blood flow of the popliteal artery were reflected as lowered PSV, SBP and DBP during the 150-210 minutes’ time point in both groups.
Adolescents and parents’ perceptions of condom distribution in selected secondary schools in the high density suburbs of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
(2020) Mudonhi, N.,; Nunu, W.N.; Ndlovu, B.; Khumalo, N.; Dube, O.
Condoms have been highlighted as one of the most effective strategies to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS. This study assessed how adolescents and parents perceive the condom distribution programme in selected secondary schools in the high density suburbs of Bulawayo. A concurrent mixed method survey was conducted on three selected secondary schools. Three hundred adolescents and three hundred parents responded to a pre tested semi structured questionnaire. Likert scales were developed to assess knowledge and attitude levels. The χ2 test and multiple logistic regression were used to associate different demographic characteristics with attitudes and levels of knowledge regarding condom distribution at schools using STATA Version 13. Practices and beliefs were assessed using unstructured interviews on purposively selected adolescents and parents. Qualitative data collected was thematically analysed on MAXQDA. The response rate was 100% and 81% for adolescents and parents/guardians respectively. There were more females than males in both response groups. About 67% of adolescents and 60% of parents/guardians were knowledgeable about condom usage and its implications on prevention of spread of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancies. A large proportion of parents/adolescents (72%) had good attitudes towards condom distribution in schools compared to adolescents (27%). Age was strongly associated with knowledge in adolescents, with older adolescent 102 times more likely to be knowledgeable compared to younger adolescents. Religion was the strongest predictor of attitudes in parents/guardians with Catholic having an odds of 227. The concerned sexual health institutions should increase awareness among adolescents, targeting their attitudes towards condom distribution and usage. Targeting attitudes will hopefully foster safe sexual practices.
Adsorption of Lead and Copper by Carbon Black and Sodium Bentonite Composite Material.
(Chemic Publishing Company, 2017-10-30) Chiririwa, H.; Matthews, T.; Nyoni, B; Majoni, Stephen; Naidoo, E.B
The efficiency of using a composite of carbon black and sodium bentonite in treating drinking water contaminated with lead and copper ions was analyzed. The effects of pH, contact time, concentration and adsorbent dosage using an adsorbent composite of 20 % sodium bentonite and 80 % carbon black were studied. The adsorption data was analyzed with respect to Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherms. The data fits well with the Langmuir isotherm model with high coefficients of determination for both metal ions adsorption. The adsorption kinetics follows a pseudo second-order model for both metal ions. The maximum metal ion uptake (qmax) of composite adsorbent is 7.69 and 0.80 mg/g for lead and copper, respectively.
Aflatoxin Carryover during Large Scale Peanut Butter Production.
(Scientific Research, 2011-04) Siwela, Andrew H.; Mukaro, Kudzayishe J.; Nziramasanga, Nozipho
Peanut butter was monitored for aflatoxin contamination at different stages during its large-scale production starting from raw shelled peanuts up to the final product. Twenty five samples, weighing 2 kg each, were taken from each of the following stages: roasting at 160°C, blanching/de-skinning and grinding. The sub-samples were ground, thoroughly mixed and further reduced by the quartering technique until a 1 kg sub-sample was obtained. This was then analyzed for aflatoxins using reverse phase HPLC incorporating pre-column trifluoroacetic acid derivatization. The results showed a total aflatoxin percentage reduction of 51% after roasting, 27% after blanching/de-skinning followed by a further 11% after grinding to make peanut butter. This meant that there was a cumulative total reduction of 89% of aflatoxin concentration during the production process of peanut butter. These results show that there is a significant reduction of aflatoxin levels at the roasting and blanching stages in the process of producing peanut butter.
Aflatoxin carryover during large scale peanut butter production.
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2011) Andrew H, S.; Kudzayishe J, M.; Nozipo, N.
Peanut butter was monitored for aflatoxin contamination at different stages during its large-scale production starting from raw shelled peanuts up to the final product. Twenty five samples, weighing 2 kg each, were taken from each of the following stages: roasting at 160?C, blanching/de-skinning and grinding. The sub-samples were ground, thoroughly mixed and further reduced by the quartering technique until a 1 kg sub-sample was obtained. This was then analyzed for aflatoxins using reverse phase HPLC incorporating pre-column trifluoroacetic acid derivatization. The results showed a total aflatoxin percentage reduction of 51% after roasting, 27% after blanching/de-skinning followed by a further 11% after grinding to make peanut butter. This meant that there was a cumulative total reduction of 89% of aflatoxin concentration during the production process of peanut butter. These results show that there is a significant reduction of aflatoxin levels at the roasting and blanching stages in the process of producing peanut butter.
Aflatoxin Contamination of Stored Groundnuts in Zimbabwe.
(ICRISA T (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics)., 1989) Siwela, Andrew H.; Caley, A.D.
Aflatoxins were analyzed in groundnuts stored for either local or export sales in the period 1982/83 to 1986/87. Four hundred and forty-one samples of seven groundnut varieties were collected for analysis. Sixty-eight percent of the samples had total concentrations of aIlatoxin BJ and OJ of up to 25 JIg kg-J. In the 1986/87 groundnut crop, the Flamingo and Makulu Red varieties, which constitute the bulk of export sales, had up to 25 JIgkg-J aIlatoxin BJin 79%of the samples, plus aIlatoxin OJ in 67% of the samples. Overall, the Egret variety was the most susceptible to aIlatoxin contamination during this period.
Alteration of some Hepatic Enzyme Activities by Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites in Domesticated Ostritches.
(Society of Education, 2013-05-05) Siwela, Andrew H.; Motsi, Leonah R.; Dube, S.
Using the conventional methods for parasitological examinations of the salt floatation and direct smear, ten ostriches infected with internal parasites were identified. Ten birds that were without internal parasites were used as the controls. The metabolizing enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPX), DT -diaphorase (DTD) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) were assayed accordingly using liver samples from the control and infected birds. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxdation, was also assayed. Results showed that cestode eggs occurred at twice the amount of nematode eggs in the faeces of infected ostriches. Infected birds showed significantly higher DTD activity when compared to non-infected birds (Student’s t test, p < 0.05) whilst the activities of SDH and GPX were statistically not altered (Student’s t test p > 0.05). MDA levels were significantly elevated in infected birds compared to controls (Student’s t test, p < 0.001). These results suggest that infected birds are under oxidative stress due to the parasitic infection . Key words: Cestodes, nematodes, glutathione peroxidase, DT-diaphorase, Succinate dehydrogenase, malodialdehyde
Altered Esterase Activity Due To Pesticide Exposure In The Aquatic Snail Physa Acuta.
(2013-03-14) Maredza, Alice; Naik, Yogeshkumar S.
The effect ofpesticides on the xenobiotic metabolising enzymes of the aquatic snail Physa acuta was studied. Adult snails reared in the laboratory were exposed daily for three days to the following pesticides: 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, deltamethrin, endosulphan, malathion and pirimiphos-methyl. Cytosolic fractions prepared from the snails showed that pesticide exposure had no effect on the glutathione or glutathione dependent enzyme activities. General esterase activity using two different substrates was reduced significantly by exposure to the organophosphate pesticides malathion and pirimiphos. Exposure to the other pesticides did not cause any substantial changes in the esterases activities. The nature of this inhibition is not yet apparent. It is likely, however, that the changes are due to a competitive type inhibition by the pesticides for the active site of the enzyme.
Altered esterase activity due to pesticide exposure in the aquatic snail Physa acuta.
(2013-09-24) Maredza, Alice; Naik, Yogeshkumar S.
The effect of pesticides on the xenobiotic metabolising enzymes of the aquatic snail Physa acuta was studied. Adult snails reared in the laboratory were exposed daily for three days to the following pesticides: 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, deltamethrin, endosulphan,malathion and pirimiphos-methyl, Cytosolic fractions prepared from the snails showed that pesticide exposure had no effect on the glutathione or glutathione dependent enzyme activities. General esterase activity using two different substrates was reduced significantly by exposure to the organophosphate pesticides malathion and pirimiphos. Exposure to the other pesticides did not cause any substantial changes in the esterases activities. The nature of this inhibition is not yet apparent. It is likely, however, that the changes are due to a competitive type inhibition by the pesticides for the active site of the enzyme.
An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Behaviour Based Safety Initiative card system at a cement manufacturing company in Zimbabw
(2018) Nunu, W.N.; Kativhu, T.; Moyo, P.
Background: A behavior-based safety initiative card-issuing system was introduced at a cement manufacturing company in Zimbabwe in 2008 to try and curb accident occurrence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Behaviour Based Safety Initiative card system as a tool used for reducing accident frequencies. Methods: A mixed-method approach that involving administering piloted questionnaires to 40 out of 244 randomly selected employees, making observations, and reviewing secondary data were done to collect data from different sources in the organization in 2013. A paired t-test was conducted to test whether there was significant difference in accident occurrence before and after the implementation of the BBSI. Scatterplots were also used to establish the correlation between the issuance of cards and the accident and injury occurrence. Results: The findings suggest that the introduction of the card system brought a significant decrease in accident and injury occurrence. A negative correlation between card issuance and accident occurrence was observed, i.e., the greater the number of cards issued, the fewer the number of accidents. It was also noted that the card system positively influenced the mindset of workers towards safe work practices. Conclusion: The card system had an influence on the reduction of accidents and injuries. The organization should leverage on issuing more cards to further reduce the number of accidents and injuries to zero.
An ontology-based framework for mobile learning in rural secondary schools
(2015) Ngwenya, S; Mangena, S.B.; Trimble, J.; Hlatywayo, D.; Chilumani, K.R.
In some countries mobile learning is becoming an important issue in academic institutions, as teachers and students get connected to networks through smart phones that combine telephony, computing, messaging and multimedia. However, in rural areas the process of designing, communicating and presenting learning resources, content services and learning content for mobile learners poses challenges. Teachers and students are not able to connect to networks for the purposes of learning and teaching. Therefore an enabler framework for this purpose becomes necessary. Those who connect to the Internet are not able to get precise and relevant content that meets their requirements and needs. This is due to poor internet connectivity, lack of semantics on content, inaccurate searches and information overload. This paper proposes a solution to some of the challenges by designing a conceptual ontology-based framework for mobile learning which could be used in rural secondary schools. The framework takes into account the following: a knowledge base, ontology, software agents, learning resources and learning/teaching content. Agents search for learning objects and extract knowledge according to learner and teacher/instructor profiles. The proposed framework would facilitate collaboration, sharing of ideas, instruction flow and access to learning and teaching content with accuracy, anytime from anywhere.
Analysis of acrylamide in traditional foodstuffs in Zimbabwe
(Academic Journals, 2011) Sanganyado, Edmond; Parekh, Champaklal T.; Eriksson, S.
We carried out a preliminary study on the occurrence of acrylamide in potentially high risk traditional foodstuffs consumed in Zimbabwe. Various studies have shown that acrylamide, a ‘probable human carcinogen’, is formed by high temperature thermal processing of carbohydrate rich foodstuffs (lnternational Agency for Research on Cancer, 1994). Acrylamide concentrations in roasted maize, groundnuts, soy beans and boiled maize were determined using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). The relative standard deviation of the analytical technique was 5% and the limit of detection was 0.02 μg/kg. Acrylamide was not detected in boiled maize. Roasted maize contained 450 μg/kg acrylamide. Roasted groundnuts had 140 μg/kg and finally, roasted soybeans with a concentration of 70 μg/kg acrylamide.
Antibiotic Resistance Patterns and Virulence Factors of Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus Associated with Urinary Tract Infections in Bulawayo Province, Zimbabwe
(SCIENCEDOMAIN international, 2016) Mbanga, Joshua; Masuku, Sithabile; Luphahla, Silence
Aims: To determine the antibiotic resistance patterns and virulence factors of coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs). The virulence factors assayed for were the atl E and ica AB genes. The prevalence of the antibiotic resistance gene, mec A, was also determined. Place and Duration of Study: Southern Pathology Clinical Laboratories and the National University of Science and Technology microbiology department, between December 2012 and March 2015. Methods: A total of 754 urine samples were analyzed for bacteria by standard procedures. Fromthese, 126 isolates were positively identified as CoNS. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolated CoNS was done using the disc diffusion method.The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also carried out to detect the presence of the mec A, ica AB and atl E genes. Results: Antibiogram profiles showed that CoNS had high prevalences of resistance to nalidixic acid (88.1%), cotrimoxazole (72.2%) and oxacillin (69.8%).There were however high prevalences of sensitivity to nitrofurantoin (79.4%) and gentamycin (68.3%). A total of 106 (84%) isolates were resistant to three or more antibiotics and 12 multi-drug resistance patterns were observed. The most common pattern (resistance to nalidixic acid, ampicillin, oxacillin, tetracycline and cotrimoxazole) was exhibited by 33 isolates. A total of 40 CoNS isolates were then used to determine the prevalence of the mec A, ica AB and atl E genes. PCR results showed that most isolates 25/40 (62.5%) were positive for the mec A gene. The ica AB and atl E were detected in 32.5% and 25% of the isolates respectively. All isolates which were positive for both the mec A and ica AB genes showed resistance to multiple antibiotics. Conclusion: There is emerging antibiotic resistance in CoNS that cause UTI’s. The occurrence of both the mec A and ica AB genes in CoNS isolates may lead to an increase in antibiotic resistance
Antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from chickens with Colibacillosis in and around Harare, Zimbabwe.
(American Association of Avian Pathologists, 2012-11-14) Saidi, Bamusi; Mafirakureva, Prettimore; Mbanga, Joshua
Colibacillosis, a disease caused by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC),can lead to great economic losses in the poultry industry. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalance of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic resistance and antibiotic resistance patterns in APEC in Zimbabwe. From 503 chickens diagnosed with Colibacillosis, 103 E. coli isolates were obtained. Isolation and identification of E. coli were carried out using microscopy and boichemical tests. The disc diffusion method was used to determine antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates to 8 commercial antibiotics. Many isolates exhibited resistance to more than one antibiotic. Antibiogram profiles indicated maximum resistance to tetracycline (100%), bacitracin(100%), and cloxacillin (100%) and a high prevalence of resistance to ampicillin(94.1%0. However; there were high prevalences of sensitivity to ciprofloxacin (100%) and gentamycin (97.1%). The isolates showed moderate rates of sensitivity to chloramphenicol and neomycin.All isolatesin this study showed multidrug resistance because they were all resistant to 3 or more antibiotics. Seven multidrug resistance patterns were observed. The most common pattern (resistance to ampicillin, bacitracin,cloxacillin and tetracycline) was exhibited by 30 isolates.Our findings show that there is emerging drug resistance in APEC associated with colibacillosis in Zimbabwe. The observed high level of multidrug resistance could hamper the treatment of colibacillosis in Zimbabwe.
Antioxidant enzyme profiles in a species of ornamental fish (koi)
(2013-03-11) Naik, Yogeshkumar S.
The aim of this work was to determine whether, and at what levels, antioxidant enzymes are expressed in the various organs of the koi. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), NAD(P)H: :' quinone oxidoreductase (NQOR) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were determined in tissue homogenates of liver, kidney, pectoral muscle, gills, eggs, blood, heart and intestine. There was a marked variability (up to tenfold difference) in enzyme activity in the various organs, but much less individual variability ( - three fold difference). NQOR activity was highest in eggs (- 5.56(A/min/mg). Catalase activity also found heterogeneously in all organs had its highest activity in the liver ( - 5.02(A/min/mg). GPX (selenium dependent) activity was highest in the liver (5.14(A/min/mg). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (MDA) content, a measure of lipid peroxidation was, significantly low in all organs and tissues with an A535/mg of 0.00145(0.0027. The results suggest that antioxidant enzymes are expressed in most organs of the koi and that this species of fish is likely to be protected when exposed to compounds that either undergo redox cycling or that exerl a direct oxidative stress.
Application of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems in Determining the Groundwater Potential in the Crystalline Basement of Bulawayo Metropolitan Area, Zimbabwe
(Scientific Research, 2013) Chuma, Constant; Hlatywayo, Dumisani J.; Orimoogunje, Oluwagbenga O.I.; Akinyede, Joseph O.
This study is concerned with the identification and delineation of aquiferous zones for potential groundwater development across Bulawayo Metropolitan from remotely sensed data and geological inference. Attempts have been made to review literatures on groundwater exploitation in the study area and the constraints to effective and sustainable management of underground water in the study area. Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is useful in the recognition and delineation of aquiferous zones for potential groundwater in crystalline basement aquifers. LANDSAT ETM+ image, SRTM data, aeromagnetic data and other ancillary data sets were utilized to extract information on the groundwater storing controlling features of this study area. Six thematic maps were produced from remote sensing data and other ancillary data - Land use/landcover, drainage density, slope map, contact density, lithology and lineament density. GIS modeling technique of the index overlay method was used to produce the groundwater potential map. The study revealed that the regional lineaments correlate with faults, fracture zones, and lithological contrasts along fold belts in the crystalline basement rocks, while the main direction of faulting and jointing is north-north-west to north with several faults oriented, to the north-north-east, parallel to the Great Dyke. Proximity to lineaments is the highest zone of increased porosity and permeability which in turn have a greater chance of accumulating groundwater. The results have shown massive spatial variability of ground water potential ranging from very good to poor. The variability closely followed variations in the structures, geology, topography/slope, drainage density and land use/land cover in the project area. This work is a reconnaissance which needs to be validated by the use of high-resolution terrain data and satellite imagery and the quantitative analysis should be done using geophysical and hydrogeological surveys.

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