Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
The Municipality of Beitbridge has commenced cleaning blocked storm water drains across the border town in preparation for the upcoming rainy season.
This initiative aims to prevent flooding and ensure the smooth flow of water through the town’s drainage system, which has become a perennial headache during the rainy season.
Suburbs in low-lying areas, among them Dulivhadzimu and the old bus terminus and council hostels, are being targetted.
Beitbridge Mayor, Councillor Peter Pirato Mafuta made the announcement in a statement on Thursday.
He said it was important for them to maintain the town’s infrastructure to prevent damage and disruptions during the rainy season.
Clr Mafuta said the local authority was working on a number of projects that will translate into improved service delivery in the town.
Some of these include the construction of Dulivhadzimu bus terminus, clearing staff salaries areas, improving water and sewer reticulation services among others.
“I am pleased to report that we are currently doing drainage cleaning and pothole patching and we have employed a Civil Technician (Roads). So we are hoping there should be more progress before the onset of the rain season,” said Clr Mafuta.
“As a local authority we have been experiencing lots of sewer blockages of late, and our team is on the ground working round the clock to clear them. As previously highlighted, the Office of the Mayor believes we should explore other options in our drive to clear the sewer backlog and in that regard, the relevant senior management has been tasked to look into this and provide possible alternative interventions”.
He said in terms of water reticulation, the situation remained stable after the council settled its debt with the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), which was now affecting the constant supply of water across the town.
The Mayor also encouraged rate payers and stakeholders to service their bills at the municipality so that the local authority may improve its capacity to provide people-centred service delivery.
