Bulawayo councillors have raised concerns over the persistent sewer bursts affecting residential areas, lamenting that efforts to involve external contractors have yet to produce tangible results.
Residents frequently report incidents of burst sewer pipes, leading to contaminated water flowing through their neighborhoods and increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.
In August 2024, the Bulawayo City Council engaged contractors Nambs Investments (Pvt) Ltd, Tokologo Technical (Pvt) Ltd, Saltavay Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, and Mine Assistance Company P/L T/A MAC to assess and address issues in the city’s malfunctioning sewer systems.
However, during a Full Council Meeting on Wednesday, Ward 17 Councillor Sikhululekile Moyo expressed frustration over the lack of visible progress.
“We have not seen any improvement in our communities. People are still living with the stench of burst sewer pipes. When repairs are made, the bursts recur shortly afterward. We need a more permanent solution to this problem,” she said.
Councillor Perseverance Nyathi also questioned the efficacy of the contracted companies. “We want to know if these companies are still working on the issue. Can they not help us more effectively? There hasn’t been any improvement,” she stated.
Meanwhile, a resident of Emganwini shared with CITE that raw sewage has been flowing through their yard. Despite reporting the issue to the council, they claim it has yet to be addressed.
“It’s been nearly a month with sewage flooding my yard. Despite making numerous reports to the council and visiting their offices several times, nothing has been done. My children can’t play outside because the yard is filled with sewage,” said the resident.
