PEOPLE with disabilities (PWDs) in the Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai section of Cowdray Park in Bulawayo have raised concern about flooding in the area which is hindering their free movement.
The area was established by government after the 2005 which demolished illegal structures.
It has been struggling with inadequate infrastructure, including lack of a proper drainage system and poor road network.
Part of the area has approximately 30 houses owned by PWDs who commute to the central business district daily to beg for money for their upkeep.
It is said that some PWDs have deserted their homes due to flooding. However, it’s a different scenario for those who do not have relatives outside the suburb.
Many have resorted to elevating their properties using bricks to avoid water damage.
Jojoea Chipango (69) told Southern Eye that flooding has become a challenge for her and her husband who both use wheelchairs for mobility.
“We face a lot of challenges, especially with our roads. I use a wheelchair and it has hindered most of my movements, either to look for water, going into town for some errands or we fail to get to the main road to access transport,” Chipango said.
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“We look for people to carry us so that we get there because the road is very bad and there is a lot of stagnant water, imagine doing that for every trip we make.”
Khathazile Mathonsi lamented the challenges saying as a visually impaired person, together with her husband, they live in faith.
“As it is, my husband has gone to town to beg and the little he will get should cover the debts we have, fees for my grandchildren, food and other stuff. Only God knows how he managed to get to the road to get transport to town,” Mathonsi said.
Hazel Tshuma (66), echoed the same sentiments saying since the area has a lot of people with disabilities, mostly the visually impaired, they fail to go to town yet they depend on begging on the streets.
“Water is stagnant everywhere as people with disabilities, most of us go to town to beg and put food on our table and this problem has hindered our only source of income. When one wants to go to town, they fail to move to the transport pick up point because of the flooding on the roads,” Tshuma said.
Meanwhile, residents revealed that their hope for an immediate solution concerning flooding has faded as responsible authorities have turned their backs on them.
The Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe has predicted normal to above-normal rainfall across the country for the 2024-25 farming season.
