Burombo Flats residents cry foul over years of neglect

RESIDENTS of Burombo Flats in Nguboyenja, once an iconic housing complex, are enduring deplorable living conditions after years without electricity, a functioning sewage system, or proper maintenance. Some families are forced to share a single room with up to ten people. Even narrow storage spaces, barely two metres long, have been converted into makeshift living quarters, further increasing the population density within the flats.

Burombo Flats, named after the late nationalist and trade unionist Benjamin Burombo, accommodates hundreds of families across three multi-storey buildings owned by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC). While the complex still carries the legacy of its namesake, residents say they feel abandoned by the authorities.

The dire situation was brought to light during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Mzilikazi on Tuesday, attended by residents’ association leaders, Ward 8 Councillor and Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu, Zesa officials, and BCC representatives from the housing department. Councillor Ndlovu said the prolonged lack of electricity has led to increased crime.

“Criminals take advantage of the darkness to rob and sexually assault residents. This meeting was meant to bring together stakeholders like Zesa and BCC to understand why it has taken so long to reconnect power,” he said.
BCC engineer Sehlule Zondo explained that electricity was disconnected several years ago following the electrocution of a child.

The incident exposed a dangerously compromised infrastructure riddled with illegal connections.
“The last bill of quantity was done in September 2023. The entire electricity system needs an overhaul. The new infrastructure must include individual meters for each apartment instead of a single communal meter,” said Engineer Zondo.
Residents’ health officer, Mr Jairos Maropa, raised concerns about illegal occupation and overcrowding.

“Three-quarters of the people living here are not bona fide residents. Toilets overflow with sewage, vandalism is rife, and more than ten people sometimes share a single room,” he said.

To address the crisis, residents have called for an audit to identify legitimate tenants and remove illegal settlers. Mzilikazi housing officer Mr Mpumelelo Mathwasa confirmed that the process would take about a month.

“That way we will know who has the right to reside at Burombo Flats and who doesn’t belong there,” he said.
Long-time resident Ms Anne Makhalima, chairperson of Block Three, said conditions have never been worse.

“I’ve lived here for 50 years and this is the worst it’s ever been. Sewage flows daily and we’ve become used to it,” she said.
Ms Makhalima added that residents pay US$12 in monthly rent per unit.