Dry as a bone…Health crisis looms as Barbourfields runs waterless on end

BOTTLED water remains banned at Barbourfields Stadium despite a crippling water crisis that has left the Stadium’s taps dry for months. The Premier Soccer League (PSL) maintains its stance that plastic containers could be used as missiles in the event of crowd trouble, according to sources.

It’s no secret that the Bulawayo City Council struggles to provide consistent running water to residents. This crisis hasn’t spared Barbourfields Stadium, the largest in southern Zimbabwe.

An average of 13 000 fans attended Highlanders’ last four matches at BF. Bottled water remains strictly prohibited at all entry points, even though the stadium lacks running water. BCC employees resort to a bucket system to provide water in the VIP section only.

Fans interviewed confirmed the lack of access to water at other stands, including Soweto, Empankweni and Mpilo End. The situation has sparked concerns about a potential health crisis at BF, particularly a cholera outbreak. The waterborne disease can easily spread among the thousands of fans attending Highlanders’ home games.

Last year, Bulawayo City Council officials informed the media that the stadium receives water through pipes running under a bridge along Luveve Road. The section underwent major repairs throughout most of 2023. While repairs are nearing completion with only road tarring remaining, BF still lacks water.

PSL spokesperson Kudzai Bare confirmed that bottled water remains banned.

“Last year we sent out a notice to all clubs informing them that any objects or containers that might be used as missiles in the event of crowd trouble will not be allowed into stadiums and as such bottled water remains banned at all our stadiums. It’s unfortunate that stadiums such as Barbourfields have no running water, something that is beyond our control, but the ban on plastic bottles remains in place,” said Bare.

On the issue of alcohol being allowed in stadiums, she said the onus lies with clubs to apply for liquor licences.

“We have stadiums such as Baobab where alcohol is sold because Ngezi Platinum applied for a liquor licence so they are operating within the confines of the law and meet the requirements set by the PSL. Clubs must apply for licences to sell alcohol at their stadiums and once they are issued the licences, they just inform us,” she added.

As games continue to come thick and fast, the risk of fans being infected with water-borne diseases such as cholera is rife. Cholera is a water-borne disease and is fatal if not treated immediately.

Bulawayo United Residents Association (Bura) chairman Winos Dube took a swipe at BCC authorities for failing to supply the stadium with water.

“BCC was aware that once the football season starts, the stadium hosts matches and it’s very shocking that BF still has no water at a critical time it is hosting thousands of fans during matches. Last year when the stadium was hosting big teams from Harare and other areas, which didn’t have their own stadiums, we were promised that the problem would be solved,” he said.

Dube said Bulawayo, like other cities and towns, is under threat from a cholera outbreak.

“The National Sports Stadium was closed because it did not have running water and we can’t allow the same to happen at BF. Bura leadership will immediately seek an audience with the authorities to get to the bottom of the issue,” said Dube.

Questions sent to BCC spokesperson Nesisa Mpofu had not been responded to by the time of going to print.