shloboe boe
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, smoyo@chronicle.co.zw
BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) is facing the urgent challenge of finding relocation sites for 13 Cowdray Park residents whose homes are set to be demolished to make way for a three-kilometre drainage pipe.
This relocation is part of a long-term solution to the area’s recurring flooding but immediate intervention is required.
The Bulawayo Fire Brigade initially identified nearby schools as temporary shelters, but this option is no longer viable as schools reopen for the first term today(Tuesday). With ongoing rains threatening further displacement, the affected families are in desperate need of safe accommodation.
During a tour of the flooded area last Friday, attended by officials from various Government departments, including the Civil Protection Unit (CPU), the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Bulawayo chief fire officer, Mr Mhlangano Moyo, revealed that Cowdray Park Secondary School, Tategulu Primary School and the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Church had been considered as potential shelters. However, with schools reopening, these options are no longer feasible.
BCC’s acting director of works, Engineer Methusi Dibidi, stated that once relocation sites are identified, the council will proceed with the drainage pipe installation project.
“The identified houses are at varying stages of construction. Some are complete homes, including extensions, while others are at foundation level. Compensation will need to match the value of each property, and the total amount required will depend on these valuations,” he explained.
Mrs Tswagai Fikile Marovatsanga, director of local government in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, emphasised the urgency of securing temporary shelter for the flood victims.
“The schools can no longer be used as sanctuaries because they are reopening today(Tuesday). These families cannot continue living in such conditions—it’s unacceptable. An immediate solution must be found, and this should be treated as a matter of urgency,” she said.
One of the affected residents, Ms Bridget Nyoni, expressed her distress, saying she and her children have been trapped in their flooded home since January 4.
“My bed has become a playground for my children because they can’t go outside. We’re in a very sad situation and we’re worried about the potential outbreak of waterborne diseases,” she said.
The flooding problem in the Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai area is longstanding. The housing project, handed over to the council by the Government through the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works in 2012, was intended to include water, sewer and drainage infrastructure.
However, residents were required to contribute US$50 monthly to fund these services, a cost that many could not afford.
According to council records, 75 percent of beneficiaries failed to meet their monthly obligations. In response, the council reduced the contribution to US$15 per month, but this led to a significant drop in revenue, with only 25 percent of beneficiaries consistently paying. Consequently, the timeline for completing the infrastructure extended from five years to 16 years.
BCC has identified the following stand numbers for relocation: 18666, 18667, 18712, 18853, 18852, 20144, 20145, 20113, 20074, 20060, 20063, 19837 and 19807.
