Bulawayo residents are rallying behind Mayor David Coltart’s call to declare the city a water shortage area, highlighting the severe water challenges facing Zimbabwe’s second-largest city.
As water supply levels continue to dwindle, the need for immediate action has become more pressing.
According to statistics from the Bulawayo City Council (BCC), the city’s supply dams are rapidly losing their stored value, prompting urgent appeals for recognition of the crisis.
Read: https://cite.org.zw/why-byo-needs-to-be-declared-a-water-shortage-area/
Bulawayo has long struggled with water shortages, a problem dating back to the pre-independence era. Residents believe the government’s failure to address this issue amounts to indirect sabotage, accusing it of politicizing essential services while preventing the city from accessing external funding to resolve the crisis.
Ndabazezwe Viki, a local resident, expressed frustration with the government’s inaction.
“I believe what the mayor is saying. Bulawayo is located in an arid region. We know Bulawayo has never had water even before independence,” he said, referring to historical plans to source water from the Zambezi River. “We would be accessing water from Gweru if the rail was functional. If we don’t have raw water, a disaster is looming. But at the present moment, the government is concerned with other priorities leaving Bulawayo with its concerns. We don’t know if the Messiah will come to save us or if residents will have to take bowsers to fetch water from Gwenoro dam in Gweru.”
Viki added it was unsustainable to constantly look for water, even for those with means. “The money is there and that’s what the mayor thinks, saying the declaration will unlock funding,” he said, however lamented that since “Bulawayo is an opposition stronghold, the request has fallen on ‘unlistening’ ears.”
Another resident, Zibusiso Ncube supported the mayor’s call, stating, “Yes, it should be declared a water shortage area because if there is no water shortage, water should not be shed but be available every day. It’s clear Bulawayo has water shortages. The government should make a plan.”
Shepherd Ndlovu questioned the government’s reluctance to act. “What does the minister lose in declaring Bulawayo a thirsty city?” Ndlovu asked.
“We saw the pictures of the recent tour of dams and saw there is no water, even the aquatic life is disturbed. Does the government think that when BCC decommissions dams it is just doing it for fun?” Ndlovu urged government officials to be honest and do what is right. “We must tell the truth, the government must admit we have a problem. Judith Ncube as the Minister of Devolution and Provincial Affairs in Bulawayo has a duty to correct such propaganda and such kinds of lies spread throughout the country,” he said.
Secretary General of ZAPU, Mthulisi Hanana, said the water crisis is not new, citing similar discussions from the colonial council before independence.
“There were indications the imperialist colonial council, if you check their meetings, discussed the water crisis to be a problem and had done feasibility studies that there must be a new dam built to supply water in Bulawayo,” Hanana explained.
“The current dams were there before Cowdray Park, which now has a population of over 70,000, and other areas such as Emgwanini, Mbundane, parts of Nketa and Rangemore. It means the population has been growing but the water supply is not growing.”
He cited how according to law, water belongs to the president of the country, which necessitated a number of things to be done.
“One, reviewing documents by the future water committee. They must also consider and prioritize or revisit the Matabeleland Water Project not as a tool for politicking but as an alternative for water sources in Bulawayo,” said the SG highlighting the need for cooperation between local authorities and the government to provide sustainable water solutions.
Hanana said BCC also needs to “desilt the dams as they have a lot of sand.”
“Council must also do a lot, we don’t think council does enough to harness water when it rains, storm drains are blocked. These are the little things that we can be doing while waiting for the incompetent government to do the right thing in terms of building dams and the Zambezi Water project,” he said.
Another resident, Malume Evan, also urged the government to prioritize people over politics. “The government must make sure every service delivery that is needed has to be brought to people and delivered right now,” he said. “Bulawayo has a bigger problem. They are now a government; the election phase has been done, and they must do what we voted for them to do.”
Sinyoro highlighted the need for decentralization and allowing Bulawayo to partner with the private sector. “The challenges are known; projects have been done; research has been conducted, and what is needed is known,” he said. “There is indirect sabotage not only to Bulawayo but to the entire nation because the resources are there. If that is not the case, why not release the power and decentralize?”
Sinyoro also questioned why the government was dragging its feet in declaring a disaster for a precious commodity. “We don’t need consultants to address us as Zimbabweans. We need to get to the problem. Bulawayo can look after itself like other cities. Let’s not wait until nothing is left,” he said.
