Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau
EVERY time it rains, parts of Gweru City turn into a waterlogged obstacle course, exposing the city’s poor drainage system and leaving residents and motorists battling flooded streets, slippery pavements and hidden potholes.
The ongoing heavy rains have laid bare the state of the city’s infrastructure, with brown floodwater submerging walkways and roads, making movement hazardous.
In an interview yesterday, Gweru Residents Trust acting chairperson Mr Obvious Gonamombe said the persistent downpours had once again exposed council’s failure to address long-standing drainage challenges.
“Every time it rains, residents are greeted by slippery brick pavements and flooded roads. One misstep on the slick surfaces and you slide straight into a hidden pothole,” said Mr Gonamombe.
He said residents were often forced to wade through pools of dirty water just to cross roads or reach public transport ranks.
“The challenges do not end there. People are forced to navigate deep water, debris and blocked drains simply to get to their destinations,” he said.
Motorists have also not been spared, with many vehicles suffering damage due to pothole-ridden roads.
“My car is suffering. The suspension has already been damaged and I don’t know how much more it can take,” said Ms Annabelle Moyo of Woodlands suburb.
She called on council to urgently rehabilitate the drainage system and roads to prevent further damage and accidents.
Responding to the concerns, Gweru Mayor Councillor Martin Chivhoko said council was aware of the challenges residents face during the rainy season.
“We have planned to start major rehabilitation works as soon as the rainfall intensity recedes. In the meantime, we are flushing catch pits and desilting side drains along main walkways in the CBD, gradually extending these efforts to residential areas,” he said.
Clr Chivhoko added that extensive pothole repairs and road rehabilitation would commence once weather conditions improve.
In a related development, Kwekwe has also been hard hit by the heavy rains, with potholes mushrooming across the city’s road network.
Motorists there say driving has become increasingly dangerous as they swerve to avoid deep potholes.
“The roads are a nightmare. I am damaging my car every time I drive. These potholes are a serious hazard, especially at night,” said Mr Marcus Nyirenda of Amaveni suburb.
Kwekwe City Council town clerk Dr Lucia Mkandhla confirmed that the abnormal rains had worsened the condition of roads across the city.
“The abnormal floods have affected all roads, both gravel and tarred, resulting in widespread potholes,” she said.
Dr Mkandhla said routine maintenance and restoration works were ongoing and catered for in the council budget, although she could not disclose the exact figures.
“I cannot give accurate figures at the moment as the budget is still under consideration by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works,” she said.
smith said when we take over,this will happen and it happens in every city in every african country that attains so-called independence , when the black vulgarious leaders sweep into power in the name of insulting others in order gain power. cities are a white man’s thing we have to remember and accept this, you vote for a darkie who them goe ‘home” (villages)and who runs the city ?? dams are full of sand ,thats why we have water rashining when we experience floods like this, ESKOM under the Councils were run efficiently then came the comrades and deployed their own who followed the masters instructions and abused Assets incl finances as directed by those who deployed them. 20 shops in one shop and they dont pay rates then expect the city to function ??? midnight businesses that dont pay rates and who cleans their dirt in the morning? Councils running on Central Govt directives to make them failures and what do you expect?