Online Reporter
Judith Phiri
BULAWAYO residents are fuming over worsening darkness in their suburbs, with the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) blaming poor coordination with ZESA for the failure to fix or maintain public lighting.
The situation has seen crime surge in poorly lit areas, with muggings, drug spots and night-time robberies becoming the order of the day.
Speaking during a Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) ward engagement in Ward 25, BCC electrical engineer Eng Sehlule Zondo said the local authority was struggling to manage public lighting because of confusion and delays linked to prepaid meters.
“The lack of coordination between ZESA and BCC regarding prepaid meters creates challenges for the local authority in managing and maintaining public lighting,” said Eng Zondo.
Across Bulawayo, tower lights and streetlights are being moved onto ZETDC’s prepaid metering system, but the process has left many suburbs in total darkness while the paperwork, billing control and technical arrangements drag on.
As criminals celebrate the cover of darkness, Eng Zondo urged residents to tighten neighbourhood watch committees to safeguard infrastructure from vandalism and theft.
Meanwhile, Ward 25 Councillor Aleck Ndlovu painted a worrying picture of continued water shortages, saying Bulawayo is now approaching five decades relying on one dam — Mtshabezi.
He said relief was expected from the Gwayi-Shangani Dam project, which includes:
• a 72-metre wall,
• electricity power station,
• 252km pipeline,
• purification plant, and
• stabilising pipeline linking to the Zambezi water system.
Cllr Ndlovu added that the city was also banking on Glassblock Dam, more boreholes and ZINWA-led projects as mid and long-term measures to ease the crisis.
On waste management, he urged residents to stop illegal dumping and backyard burning, which continue to choke neighbourhoods.
Turning to drug abuse, Ndlovu issued a strong warning.
“The issue of drugs and substance abuse has shown its harmful impact. Young people should engage in productive activities and hobbies to avoid drugs while building a positive future,” he said.
BPRA said it will continue convening ward meetings to push for accountability, service delivery and community involvement.
