News / Local
Cowdray Park residents battle ongoing water shortages
19 May 2013 at 06:52hrs | Views
Residents in the still growing Cowdray Park suburb of Bulawayo are battling with ongoing water shortages that have plagued the area for more than seven years.
Thousands of people, allocated stands in the area, have been forced to add hours of queuing for water into their every day plans. They say the water problems have been caused by bad planning, with only five communal taps servicing eight thousands stands.
Resident Johnson Mdlongwa, who is also part of the Cowdray Park Development Committee, told SW Radio Africa that the queues last for hours, and sometimes people spent the whole night waiting their turn to fill their buckets. He said the pressure is still building on the community, which continues to grow.
"We have been appealing to the city fathers to do something about it. But they've told us we have to pay $3,000 dollars up front or $50 a month for the next few years. And that is a challenge. We can't pay that," Mdlongwa said.
He also expressed frustration that City Council has not been more forthcoming with answers, despite promising a year ago to meet with the residents. Mdlongwa said this still hasn't happened.
Dubbed the 'Dry City', Cowdray Park is also sometimes called the 'Dark City' because of ongoing power problems there. Another resident, from the newer (but still dry) phase two of the development told SW Radio Africa that living there is a serious challenge.
"People have to rely on bowsers for water, but that is still not enough to service everyone here. People are queuing from the morning till late at night, just for water," resident Allen Dube said.
Thousands of people, allocated stands in the area, have been forced to add hours of queuing for water into their every day plans. They say the water problems have been caused by bad planning, with only five communal taps servicing eight thousands stands.
Resident Johnson Mdlongwa, who is also part of the Cowdray Park Development Committee, told SW Radio Africa that the queues last for hours, and sometimes people spent the whole night waiting their turn to fill their buckets. He said the pressure is still building on the community, which continues to grow.
"We have been appealing to the city fathers to do something about it. But they've told us we have to pay $3,000 dollars up front or $50 a month for the next few years. And that is a challenge. We can't pay that," Mdlongwa said.
He also expressed frustration that City Council has not been more forthcoming with answers, despite promising a year ago to meet with the residents. Mdlongwa said this still hasn't happened.
Dubbed the 'Dry City', Cowdray Park is also sometimes called the 'Dark City' because of ongoing power problems there. Another resident, from the newer (but still dry) phase two of the development told SW Radio Africa that living there is a serious challenge.
"People have to rely on bowsers for water, but that is still not enough to service everyone here. People are queuing from the morning till late at night, just for water," resident Allen Dube said.
Source - sw radio
