Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
HARARE City Council says it is committed to addressing persistent sewer bursts in Mbare, which have plagued residents for over six months, particularly at Nenyere Flats and the Siyaso home industry.
Ward 4 Councillor Bonface Maburutse, who toured the affected areas alongside Acting Town Clerk Engineer Isaiah Zvenyika Chawatama, said the crisis stems from a combination of ageing infrastructure and overcrowding in the suburb.
“The sewer pipes are old, so we are looking to replace them with new ones. We are going to use new plastic pipes to try to solve the challenge,” said Clr Maburutse.
He said solid waste and rubbish being dumped into manholes by residents is compounding the problem, leading to repeated blockages and overflows.
Clr Maburutse said the planned switch to plastic pipes will form part of broader efforts to modernise waste infrastructure in the suburb.
Mbare, one of Harare’s oldest and most densely populated communities, is served by a sewer network dating back to the colonial era.
The ageing system is unable to cope with current demand, resulting in frequent sewage spills that pose serious health risks.
The councillor urged cooperation between the community and municipal authorities to ensure proper waste disposal and to avoid blockages that disrupt sanitation services.
Residents in affected areas have long called for urgent intervention, with fears mounting over the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
“We are tired of living with sewage flowing outside our homes,” said Ms Norah Mudzamiri, a resident of Nenyere Flats.
“Children play in these dirty areas and it’s just a matter of time before we have cholera or typhoid outbreaks. Council needs to act now.”
Another resident, Mrs Tinashe Dongo, who runs a small workshop near Siyaso, said the smell and constant flooding were driving away customers.
“We report and report, but no permanent solution comes. People are getting sick, it is not safe,” he said.
Council has urged residents to desist from dumping waste in manholes and to cooperate with city workers during the planned pipe replacement programme.
Online Reporter