Rain, ruin and rubbish: Cowdray Park’s fresh flood struggles

INCESSANT rains have once again brought misery to families in Cowdray Park’s Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle Phase 2 in Bulawayo, where every downpour continues to leave a trail of destruction in the sprawling suburb.

Instead of offering relief from the heat, the rainy season has become a period of anxiety for residents in the city’s most populous suburb. During heavy downpours, water flows through yards and into homes, soaking furniture and damaging appliances.

In interviews, residents said they now endure sleepless nights as they monitor rising water levels.

“We always lose property when it rains heavily because of poor drainage. We don’t sleep when it rains as water comes into the house and we have to lift everything,” said one elderly resident who declined to be named.

To keep water out, families have built soil embankments and placed bricks at their doorways. Inside, couches are raised on bricks and cupboards balanced on stones. Despite these improvised measures, many households continue to suffer losses. Mattresses, wardrobes, stoves and refrigerators have been destroyed beyond repair. Areas near Vulindlela Primary School are among the worst affected, with residents blaming poor drainage for the persistent flooding.

In 2024, the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) resolved to demolish 17 houses in the area to create space for a long- delayed drainage system.

However, progress has been stalled by funding constraints.

In some parts of the suburb, houses were built on wetlands, making the situation even worse.

Beyond damage to property, residents fear an emerging health hazard. With no proper sewer system, Blair toilets and septic tanks overflow during heavy rains. Wastewater runs along roads and mixes with stagnant pools.

The stench is overwhelming, and flies swarm the area, heightening fears of diarrhoeal diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

“There will be an outbreak if this is not addressed. Children play in the puddles, not knowing the water is contaminated,” said another resident.

An illegal dumpsite has compounded the problem. Used nappies and food waste lie exposed, attracting insects and increasing health risks.

Access to services is also difficult. Roads become muddy and impassable during heavy rains, trapping vehicles. Residents say some transport operators take advantage of the conditions by charging higher fares.

Mr Fanuel Dube said Vulindlela Primary School, the community’s designated evacuation centre, is also prone to flooding.

“Not only are we worried about this, but our closest evacuation point and centre is Vulindlela School, which is also flooded. Some houses were identified by the Bulawayo City Council as having been built along waterways and were supposed to be relocated more than three years ago, but nothing has happened,” he said.

In a bid to manage the water flow, some residents have dug makeshift trenches to divert run off. However, this has led to disputes between neighbours when channels become blocked.

Residents are now calling on BCC to urgently install a proper sewer system and drainage infrastructure.

“The only permanent solution is proper servicing of the area. If the council builds proper drains and a sewer system, this problem can finally end,” said Mr Dube.

The flooding problem in Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai is longstanding. The housing project, handed over to the council in 2012, was meant to include water, sewer and drainage infrastructure. Residents were expected to contribute US$50 monthly to fund the services, but the cost proved too heavy for many.

Records show that 75 percent of beneficiaries failed to meet the agreed US$50 monthly obligations.

BCC later reduced the amount to US$15 per month, but the drop stalled revenue. Only 25 percent of beneficiaries consistently paid, crippling the project’s cash flow and extending the infrastructure timeline from five years to 14.

Residents said transport operators are also taking advantage of the situation by charging exorbitant fares, particularly during peak hours.

Cowdray Park legislator Arthur Mujeyi acknowledged the seriousness of the situation.

“It is true that there are flash floods in some wards here, specifically Wards 15 and 6. We are hoping that the Presidential Title Deeds Scheme, Kwangu/Ngakwami, will be enough to address the matter,” he said.