RESIDENTS of Gwanda, the Matabeleland South capital, have flagged the town’s drainage system, which has been overwhelmed by the recent heavy rains resulting in flooded streets and homes.
This was revealed by Gwanda Progressive Residents Association chairperson Collert Moyo, who said the town’s poor drainage system was becoming a threat to their lives and livelihoods.
“The challenge we have with the drainage system is that currently rainwater actually flows into people’s houses. The run-off water should have a good and well maintained drainage system. Some locations do not have a drainage system that is functional, it is just water everywhere,” he said.
Moyo revealed that they engaged council and its officials took an inventory.
“We engaged with the council and they took some inventory in all the affected wards,” he said.
However, Gwanda mayor Thulani Moyo dismissed the claims, arguing that the challenges are a result of flash floods which are beyond anyone’s control.
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“It is not about whether the drainage system is good or bad, the real issue is about flash floods. When these rains come, they come with sand and this sand interferes with the culverts which then causes clogging. Some of these things are about poor management of sand,” he said.
“Whenever people are doing construction, they dump loads of sand along yards and roads, hence this sand end up filling up drainage systems.”