Residents demand power restoration after months of darkness
The residents of Burombo Flats in Bulawayo are calling on the city council to restore electricity after it was disconnected last October following a tragic electrocution incident involving a 4-year-old child.
The power cut that initially intended to facilitate investigations, has left the community in darkness for months, raising significant concerns about security and quality of life.
Residents were initially promised that the power would be restored soon after the child’s burial. However, the matter has since become entangled in legal proceedings, further delaying the reconnection.
The prolonged power outage has had severe repercussions. Residents report an increase in crime, including a particularly harrowing incident where a man from Nguboyenja was found raped and left unconscious within the flats.
Samukelisiwe Ncube, a resident, expressed her fear of venturing outside after 7 PM due to the heightened risk of robberies.
โSince the electricity was disconnected, weโve seen a rise in crime. We are scared to go outside or even run errands in the evenings. The lack of light makes us easy targets,โ Ncube said.
She recounted a disturbing incident: โA man was found unconscious and had been raped. This has instilled a lot of fear among us. We donโt feel safe anymore.โ
Another resident, MaNdlovu, who lives alone on the upper floor, described the hardships she faces due to the lack of power.
โI am old and frail. Fetching firewood and climbing up and down the stairs multiple times a day is exhausting. It feels like living in rural areas, but worse because I canโt even easily access firewood,โ she lamented.
MaSibanda, another resident, highlighted the adverse impact on childrenโs education. โOur children need light to do their homework and study. Buying candles or rechargeable lights isnโt sustainable. We have electricity infrastructure, but itโs useless because itโs disconnected,โ she said.
For MaNdlovu, who is wheelchair-bound, the power cut has been particularly challenging. โI rely on my neighbours to help me with daily tasks. Without electricity, I canโt warm water for bathing or cook food in time for my medication,โ she shared.
Thandekile Moyo, Chairperson of the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) for Ward 8, urged the council to address the issue urgently.
โResidents have been without electricity since the tragic incident last October. The lack of power has led to increased crime and insecurity. The council needs to act swiftly to reconnect the electricity,โ Moyo stressed.
Ward 8 Councillor, Edwin Ndlovu, acknowledged the residentsโ plight and emphasized the need for comprehensive electrical rewiring and the installation of individual meters.
โThe tragic incident revealed poor insulation of electrical wires. We need to rewire the flats and install individual meters, which will cost approximately US$40,000 per block. We are working on securing the necessary funds to address this issue,โ he said.