Residents in Ward 17, St. Peters have appealed to the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to supply St. Peter’s Primary School with water, as the school is on the verge of closing due to water shortages.
The residents stated that the school was in serious distress.
A resident, Ostine Ndiweni, expressed concern about the potential closure, noting the challenges it would pose for learners.
“All these years, there was no primary school here, and children had to walk to Pumula. The distance is long, and the road is bad. Children risk being assaulted along the way. If the school closes, we will be in serious trouble,” said Ndiweni.
He explained that St. Peter’s Primary School receives water on Tuesday evening, but due to pipe bursts, the water often does not reach all areas, affecting the school.
“We receive water on Tuesday evening, but it is turned off again on Wednesday. Sometimes, the water doesn’t even reach this area. When there are pipe bursts along the way, the school doesn’t receive water.”
“We are appealing for a water bowser during the water shedding periods. We understand the city’s water challenges, but the toilets are now congested, and we fear the children might contract diseases,” said Ndiweni.
Another resident, Sazini Tshuma, also appealed for a clear water schedule.
“We have a challenge with water. We constantly call the local authority to remind them to open water for us. We wish they had a schedule so we know when we are supposed to receive water, even if we are a little bit out of town,” she said.
“At the moment, the school is considering closing down due to the water challenges. We even wish that where there is a tap, the water bowser could stop so people can access water because water is a challenge in this area,” said Tshuma.
When contacted for a comment, Ward 17 Councilor Sikhululekile Moyo said she had not yet received a report.
“Usually, when they don’t have water, the head communicates and we send a bowser, but for now they haven’t complained, just about a week, they still had water I never got that report, I went to Sizalendaba secondary and they said their water tanks were full, but I am not sure about the primary, but usually they report if there is a problem and as a council we fill up water for them, I think there was lack of communication somewhere,” said Cllr Moyo.
