Residents in Ward 10, Entumbane, are facing water challenges after some tower lights in their community were converted from using fixed meters to pre-paid ones.
The boreholes were connected to electricity from the tower lights to pump water. However, this change has resulted in an increased shortage of water from these alternative sources.
Bulawayo is currently undergoing a 120-hour water shedding schedule owing to poor rains and the situation has been worsened by the El-Niño induced drought.
In an interview with CITE, Ward 10 councillor, Khalazani Ndlovu, said she was approached by her residents complaining that three of their boreholes were no longer pumping water because of the change in the meter system.
“The main challenge that we have at the moment in Ward 10 is access to water. Due to the current water shortage crisis, residents rely on boreholes as alternative water sources. Some of these boreholes are powered by tower lights to pump water. However, there has been a recent development where ZESA has been changing the meters for tower lights from fixed to pre-paid,” Cllr Ndlovu said.
“So far, three tower lights have been changed and this is affecting the residents. Some now have to walk long distances to the next closest borehole to get water, which is quite an inconvenience. We have tried to engage the council department responsible for tower lights, but we have not yet received a satisfactory answer regarding when they will reconnect the electricity for these tower lights.”
Cllr Ndlovu added that some residents, since the introduction of the water shedding program, hardly get running water because their houses are in high areas.
She further explained that apart from the water challenges, a lack of lighting in the area poses the risk of a spike in robbery cases.
“Our plea is that this challenge be addressed promptly because the residents are already struggling with access to water. For example, those who stay in areas around D-square do not have water entirely because it’s a high area. Due to the low pressure, water does not reach their homes. They have a great dependence on the boreholes,” Cllr Ndlovu said.
“The absence of lighting is also compromising the safety of residents. When there are no lights, residents are prone to attack and robbery. We therefore implore the city council to speedily ensure that lighting can be re-installed.”
