The residents of Burombo Flats in Bulawayo are calling on the city council to restore electricity after it was disconnected last October following a tragic electrocution incident involving a 4-year-old child.
The power cut that initially intended to facilitate investigations, has left the community in darkness for months, raising significant concerns about security and quality of life.
Residents were initially promised that the power would be restored soon after the child’s burial. However, the matter has since become entangled in legal proceedings, further delaying the reconnection.
The prolonged power outage has had severe repercussions. Residents report an increase in crime, including a particularly harrowing incident where a man from Nguboyenja was found raped and left unconscious within the flats.
Samukelisiwe Ncube, a resident, expressed her fear of venturing outside after 7 PM due to the heightened risk of robberies.
“Since the electricity was disconnected, we’ve seen a rise in crime. We are scared to go outside or even run errands in the evenings. The lack of light makes us easy targets,” Ncube said.
She recounted a disturbing incident: “A man was found unconscious and had been raped. This has instilled a lot of fear among us. We don’t feel safe anymore.”
Another resident, MaNdlovu, who lives alone on the upper floor, described the hardships she faces due to the lack of power.
“I am old and frail. Fetching firewood and climbing up and down the stairs multiple times a day is exhausting. It feels like living in rural areas, but worse because I can’t even easily access firewood,” she lamented.
MaSibanda, another resident, highlighted the adverse impact on children’s education. “Our children need light to do their homework and study. Buying candles or rechargeable lights isn’t sustainable. We have electricity infrastructure, but it’s useless because it’s disconnected,” she said.
For MaNdlovu, who is wheelchair-bound, the power cut has been particularly challenging. “I rely on my neighbours to help me with daily tasks. Without electricity, I can’t warm water for bathing or cook food in time for my medication,” she shared.
Thandekile Moyo, Chairperson of the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) for Ward 8, urged the council to address the issue urgently.
“Residents have been without electricity since the tragic incident last October. The lack of power has led to increased crime and insecurity. The council needs to act swiftly to reconnect the electricity,” Moyo stressed.
Ward 8 Councillor, Edwin Ndlovu, acknowledged the residents’ plight and emphasized the need for comprehensive electrical rewiring and the installation of individual meters.
“The tragic incident revealed poor insulation of electrical wires. We need to rewire the flats and install individual meters, which will cost approximately US$40,000 per block. We are working on securing the necessary funds to address this issue,” he said.
