Online Reporter
Nomalisa Gumpo, [email protected]
RESIDENTS of Cowdray Park have expressed concern over the Bulawayo City Council’s (BCC) continued failure to provide basic infrastructure and essential services in their suburb, accusing the local authority of neglect and exclusion.
The grievances came to the fore during a recent mid-term budget review consultation meeting held at the Large City Hall, where residents and stakeholders were briefed on the city’s performance from January to June and invited to contribute suggestions for the upcoming 2026 municipal budget.
Cowdray Park, one of Bulawayo’s largest and fastest-growing suburbs, has long struggled with underdevelopment despite its growing population. The suburb, initially developed as a high-density housing project for low-income families, still lacks fully developed road networks, consistent water supply, functional sewer systems and social amenities.
“We have no libraries, no youth centres and no boreholes. We are left behind and services are not delivered on time like in other suburbs. We drink dirty water and the council keeps making promises,” said Ms Sithabiso Dube.
Another resident, Ms Sithabile Mkandla, echoed similar sentiments, questioning the council’s allocation of resources.
“On road construction, Cowdray Park is left out. There’s no sewer reticulation, electricity and water supply is unreliable. We wonder where our money goes because we pay our rates and utility bills just like everyone else,” she said.
Residents demanded transparency and inclusion in future budget planning processes, urging council officials to prioritise service delivery and infrastructure development in the sprawling suburb.
Cowdray Park suburb is dogged by poor roads, lack of water, sewer reticulation, electricity and other basic social amenities.
Council requires at least US$300 million to put water and sewer reticulation infrastructure in the suburb. Most of the houses in the suburb were built under the Government-funded Hlalani Kuhle Housing Scheme.
The suburb, which has more than 16 000 housing units, is yet to be connected to sewer services although BCC is working towards its connectivity.
The suburb’s exponential growth over the years has not only offered huge opportunity for new business investments and housing development, but has also created a huge gap in terms of basic service delivery.
Cowdray Park suburb is divided into two parts — the pioneer development stands that are well serviced with access to electricity, water and sewer as well as the Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai area which lacks basic services.
