RESIDENTS of various suburbs in Bulawayo have bemoaned the state of the drainage system around the city, asking the council to deal with the issue before the onset of the 2024-25 rainy season.
The concerns were made public at a recent ward 25 meeting, where residents of Nketa 9 raised the issue of a poor drainage system at a local school.
“Firstly, my greatest plea for the area of Nketa is the road that leads to Mgiqika Primary School. As I passed during the past rainy seasons,” said a resident, “I noticed that children struggle to enter the school premises due to water blocking the entrance. My plea is for a tarred road at the school and one at the entrance of the clinic.”
However, councillor Aleck Ndlovu said he would consult the relevant departments to come up with solutions to the problem.
“Maybe there may be a need for drainage. As for the road to be tarred, it may be difficult due to financial constraints,” he said.
Bulawayo Residents Association chairperson Winos Dube said the issue had been raised by residents for quite some time.
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“The question now is: What is the council doing to fix the ever clogged drains? This is a very urgent issue that must be looked at,” he said.
“Council must give this issue attention so that we avoid the destruction of residents’ property during flash floods.”
Dube said the issue of drains should be included in the ongoing budget consultation meetings although the budget is for next year.
Bulawayo is prone to flash floods during rainy seasons due to poor drainage systems affecting especially the city’s central business district, Sizinda, Tshabalala and other western suburbs of the city.