Bulawayo residents have been urged to stop dumping rubbish in storm drains, with councillors warning that blocked drainage channels increase the risk of flooding and endanger lives during the rainy season.
The warning was made during a recent full council meeting, where councillors raised concern over blocked storm drains and the risk of flooding in residential areas.
Ward councillor Susan Sithole said residents should complement council’s efforts to maintain the drainage system by keeping storm drains free of rubbish to allow rainwater to flow freely.
She said a child in her ward had died after being swept away by floodwaters and becoming trapped in rubbish dumped in a storm drain.
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“In my ward we lost a child because of such conduct. A child was swept away by water and got caught up in garbage that is disposed of in storm drains,” said Cllr Sithole.
She said while council was responsible for clearing storm drains ahead of the rainy season, residents also had a duty to ensure the infrastructure was not used as a dumping site.
“Storm drains are there to enable the flow of water, not for dumping garbage. As residents we pay rates for refuse to be collected, what it then means is that if you dump your garbage in the storm drain you are paying for a service that you will not be getting at the end of the day,” she said.
Cllr Sithole warned that blocked drains could compromise efforts to manage stormwater and increase the risk of flooding in residential areas.
Meanwhile, Cllr Febbie Msipa called on council to urgently inspect and clear storm drains in Luveve, where residents continue to experience flooding during the rainy season.
She questioned whether the drainage infrastructure in the suburb was still functional, given the recurring flooding.
“At this point we do not know if they are there or not because every rainy season we always have the same challenge of flooded water. If they are there then they were long blocked and work must be done to have them functioning again,” said Cllr Msipa.
She urged the council to address the drainage problems before heavy rains set in, saying residents deserved a safe environment during the rainy season.
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