adminLungile Tshuma Sunday News Correspondent
ONE of Bulawayo’s oldest residential flats, Burombo in Nguboyenja, is sitting on a health time bomb, amid revelations that toilets have been dysfunctional for more than two months, forcing residents to flock to Renkini Long Distance Bus Terminus for relief. Burombo was originally constructed as temporary accommodation for people working in the city while their families were in rural areas. The flats have a single kitchen and communal toilets which are no longer working.
During a recent visit, Sunday News met some residents who complained that the flat was not good for human habitation. Residents said they were forced to stay in the flat because of low rentals.
Council charges $8 per person or $23 a room per month.
At most, four people share a room and beds take most of the space, leaving space hardly enough for one to stand.
Outside the flat, a river of sewage flows producing an unbearable smell which is now the norm for residents.
Most of the rooms are packed with plastic bags filled with clothes due to both the unavailability of space to accommodate wardrobes and shelves.
Most window panes are broken and residents have replaced them with plastics and cardboard boxes.
Mr Solomon Ndlovu appealed to the council to renovate the flat.
“This building and its surrounding areas is not good for humans and worse for children. We have always been at risk of water borne diseases because the environment has not been conducive for residents,” said Mr Ndlovu.
Another resident, Ms Lucia Moyo, said she was devastated by the snail pace at which the council usually takes to respond to their calls to resolve their problems.
However, the city’s deputy mayor Councillor Gift Banda said council was taking measures to address problems faced by Burombo residents.
“I am aware of the challenges faced by residents in Burombo but there are measures which are being taken to solve those problems. I cannot say much now but those problems will soon be history,” said Clr Banda.
Makokoba legislator Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube raised fears that people occupying the flat can be affected by cholera as there are high chances that people might not be using clean water at all.
“This issue of people from Burombo going to Renkini to access the toilet is disturbing. Renkini toilets cannot accommodate all those people from Burombo. With what is on the ground, those people are not staying in a healthy environment because toilets are one of the key components of a healthy environment,” Cde Rtd Col Dube said.
“My constituency health team will address the matter and come back to me so that we can see how best we can solve the situation because failure to do so will be like killing our own people.”
Online Reporter