Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza and Bokang Tlou, Zimpapers Writers
WHEN disaster strikes and flames engulf homes or property, every second counts. But for the Bulawayo Fire Brigade, the city’s fire hydrants, which are a critical lifeline, are being slowly choked by a crisis of vandalism and neglect.
Once a reliable back-up water source when fire engines run dry, fire hydrants across the city are increasingly being rendered useless as they are damaged either by residents illegally accessing water or by criminals stripping them for scrap metal.
The city has 4 332 fire hydrants, but only 70 percent are still functional.
“Residents sometimes tamper with fire hydrants to access water illegally, often damaging the valves and making the hydrants unusable in emergencies and that makes our jobs as firefighters very difficult,” said Bulawayo chief fire officer Mr Mhlangano Moyo.
“When we encounter incidents where fire hydrants are damaged, we resort to summoning bowsers with extra water to fight fires.
“Bulawayo has 4 332 fire hydrants, but firefighters face serious challenges because only 70 percent are operational.”
A recent snap survey by Zimpapers crew in several western suburbs has revealed a grim picture of the situation. In places like Old Magwegwe and Pumula Old, many fire hydrants have either been vandalised, buried under rubble or stripped bear with iron lids missing, valves exposed and metal poles that once marked their locations removed and sold for scrap.
Along Masiyephambili Road, directly opposite the Bulawayo City Council’s (BCC) water reservoir in Old Magwegwe, the news crew observed residents doing laundry in the open around a vandalised fire hydrant.
“This is where we get water for laundry, toilets and our gardens. It helps reduce our water bills, but we know it’s not right,” said one resident.
Old Magwegwe Residents’ Association chairperson Mrs Sylvia Nkomo said the community is bearing the consequences of its own actions.
She called for a citywide crackdown on scrap metal dealers buying stolen council infrastructure.
“It’s our children who are doing this, stealing the cast iron lids and selling them in Kelvin industrial area to fund drinking and smoking habits. We’re appealing to residents to stop tampering with hydrants just to get free water,” she said.
In Pumula Old, maize fields have swallowed up fire hydrants. In some cases, the hydrants are no longer visible as they are buried under soil or hidden by rubble.
To tackle this, the fire brigade has turned to technology. In partnership with UK-based charity Operation Florian, firefighters have received digital mapping tools to pinpoint the exact location of each hydrant in the city.
“Through a partnership with Operation Florian, we have been equipped with gadgets that allowed us to map out where every fire hydrant in the city is located and we stored that information in our database,” said Mr Moyo.
“At the touch of a tablet, we can locate all the fire hydrants, which makes our work easier when we are attending to fires and need to use the hydrants for backup water.”
Mr Moyo warned that unless residents take ownership and help protect public infrastructure, the fire brigade’s ability to respond effectively in emergencies will remain compromised.
He said the hydrant system was designed to save lives. Mr Moyo said when people tamper with it, they put the whole community at risk.
