Residents of Ward 14 in Old Magwegwe, Bulawayo, say they are living in fear after heavy rains exposed a long-standing drainage crisis that has left homes flooded with water mixed with raw sewage, raising health and safety concerns.
What residents say began as recurring sewer bursts has escalated into widespread flooding, with blocked drainages forcing contaminated water back into households. Some residents have accused the local authority of slow and selective service delivery.
When CITE visited the area on Monday, a city council grader was on site, opening a nearby drainage channel.
One affected resident, Nqobile Ndlovu, said the problem started last year with repeated sewer bursts, which have since been worsened by the rains.
“The sewer problem was attended to, but the main challenge now is the drainage,” he said. “Because of sand blocking the drains, water is no longer flowing. During heavy rains, our houses flood with water mixed with sewer, and we now fear for our health.”
Mr Ndlovu said stagnant water around homes had also raised fears of possible electrocution.
“We have tried to engage the council but with no success. They told us the sewer repairs would only be effective if the drainages were also cleared, but nothing has been done and it is raining,” he said, adding that his home, located in a low-lying area, is repeatedly flooded.
He said residents had attempted to clear the drains themselves during the Christmas period, but the problem persisted.
“There is a pipe that goes under the road and it is blocked. This now needs council intervention,” he said.
Residents also expressed frustration over what they described as poor value for money, saying they continue to pay rates that include charges for sewer and road maintenance.
“We expect better service delivery. Our bills include sewer and roads, but we don’t see where our money is going,” Mr Ndlovu said. “We even used our bare hands because we were told council workers had no protective clothing.”
Another resident, Asher Dube, who recently moved into the area, said the situation was alarming from the outset.
“The first challenge I experienced was the sewer. The smell was too much and we feared getting sick,” he said. “The rains have made it worse. The drainage system fails and all the water floods our houses.”
He said residents often feel abandoned. “You don’t know who to tell or who will act fast, yet the situation is serious.”
The residents’ chairperson, Grateman Ndlovu, said the rains had exposed deeper infrastructure problems, including uncovered sewer lines.
“Some sewer infrastructure does not even have lids, and that worsens the flooding,” he said, calling on council to urgently open blocked underground drainages.
However, he also urged residents to stop dumping litter in sewer lines and drains, saying this contributed to the problem.
Ward 14 councillor Dumisani Netha acknowledged the drainage challenges but placed significant responsibility on residents, urging them to change their behaviour.
“We are dealing with the drainage, but residents must stop throwing litter such as bottles and other objects into the drainages,” he said. “Drainages are for water to flow. Refuse is collected weekly.”
Councillor Netha said blocked drainages caused by litter were the main driver of flooding and called for a change in residents’ attitudes.
“The drainage is community property. Residents must take care of it,” he said. “I have done my part for the area to be fixed, but we need to change our culture in Bulawayo.”
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