Mthokozisi Ncube RESIDENTS at Bulawayo’s Ntabazinduna Flats have been living with raw sewage at their doorstep since June, with some households reporting cases of diarrhoea and vomiting. The crisis, which…
Mthokozisi Ncube
RESIDENTS at Bulawayo’s Ntabazinduna Flats have been living with raw sewage at their doorstep since June, with some households reporting cases of diarrhoea and vomiting.
The crisis, which residents say has been reported to the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) on multiple occa-sions, remains unresolved.
Amos Sibanda, the residents’ chairperson, said three households were affected by sewer problems.
“Actually there are 3 households currently having sewer problems,” Sibanda said. “The one where there is diarrhoea was first reported on the 21st of June and there are more than four reports that were made. The latest report was done yesterday.”
He said council officials often cited a shortage of vehicles.
“Sometimes they say there are lots of reports around Bulawayo but there is a shortage of vehicles that drain blocked sewers. Sometimes they come and say we will be back and gone forever.”
Sibanda also raised concerns over a public toilet near Mpilo Central Hospital’s gate. The facility was previously a pay toilet but has been closed for nearly two years.
“Vendors, kombi drivers and individuals coming to Mpilo are relieving themselves outside the toilet. We have reported this to the councillor who later referred us to the cleansing department and they promised to come and re-open the toilet. Up to now it’s quiet,” he said.
“We had approached them asking them to allow the community to operate the toilet as a pay toilet.
They refused and said they will run it themselves. Now it’s almost two years.”
Ward 1 Councillor Adrian Moyo said the matter had been outstanding for some time.
“This issue has been ongoing. It’s one of the areas that have been outstanding across the city,” Moyo said. “The city, through its water and sanitation department, has contracted private companies to at-tend to hotspots as a way of improving the sewer reticulation system. It is very uncomfortable for res-idents who are in such situations. As the city continues to roll out various interventions, residents are going to heave a collective sigh of relief.”
A resident, who requested anonymity, said the problem had now spread to other blocks.
“I have reported to the community chairperson. He sent the report to the councillor two times, re-ferred the BCC and they gave me reference numbers. Now they are many and my neighbours helped to report. The last reference is now affecting so many houses from 18 to 54 Ntabazinduna Flats. We
clean every day. Now people have been vomiting and running tummy,” the resident said.
“I didn’t report about the illness just for them to come and fix the burst sewer for us.”
The resident described daily coping measures.
“When they use the toilet, we close the doors, we pour water with soap on the floor to avoid flies.
We no longer close the windows even at night for ventilation.”
The first complaint was lodged in June and residents say no action has been taken to date. The latest reference number issued by council is 2608S4806. The flats fall under BF Ntabazinduna Flats.
Contacted for comment, Bulawayo City Council Corporate communications officer Bongiwe Ngwenya responded:
“Thank you for the email. We will look at these questions and revert as soon as possible”.
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