Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
BULAWAYO is battling a sanitation crisis with constant sewer bursts that have seen the city recording between 90 and 120 choke reports every day amid reports that Nkulumane suburb accounts for nearly half of all blockages.
The problem is worsened by Bulawayo’s chronic water shortages, as most residents only have running water for two days a week, a situation the city says causes solid waste to accumulate in sewer pipes instead of being flushed away.
In a statement, the council said the problem had become serious, citing an old fleet of service vehicles and residents dumping inappropriate materials into the system.
“Despite the challenges, 1,940 blockages were cleared in August, reducing the backlog of cases from 823 to 338. Contractors have been brought in to assist with jetting and winching services, while some sewer outfalls in Pumula East and Entumbane have already been rehabilitated,” reads the statement.
“Emergency interventions, including the engagement of private contractors for jetting and winching services, have been instrumental in this progress.”
In August 2024, the Bulawayo City Council engaged contractors Nambs Investments (Pvt) Ltd, Tokologo Technical (Pvt) Ltd, Saltavay Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, and Mine Assistance Company P/L T/A MAC to assess and address issues in the city’s malfunctioning sewer systems.
However, councillors have expressed frustration over the lack of visible progress.
“We have not seen any improvement in our communities. People are still living with the stench of burst sewer pipes. When repairs are made, the bursts recur shortly afterwards. We need a more permanent solution to this problem,” said Ward 17 Councillor, Sikhululekile Moyo.
Proportional representation, Councillor Perseverance Nyathi also questioned the efficacy of the contracted companies.
“We want to know if these companies are still working on the issue. Can they not help us more effectively? There hasn’t been any improvement,” she stated.
Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart is on record saying a programme to replace the council’s outdated fleet and restructure manpower was underway, while procurement of sewer repair materials had been prioritised.
The city has urged residents to play their part by protecting public infrastructure and avoiding flushing solid waste into the system.
Commenting, Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA) chairman Mr Winos Dube said some of the city’s older sewer lines, especially in high-density suburbs, are now too narrow to cope with increasing population levels.
“The city’s population is growing and the older infrastructure is under a lot of strain. The City Fathers must invest in a long-term water solution because as long as residents have access to tap water for one or two days a week, then the problem of blocked sewer pipes will not go away,” said Mr Dube.
