Tshabalala residents endure persistent sewerage crisis amid official inaction

Residents of Tshabalala suburb in Bulawayo are living with a persistent sewerage overflow that has become a daily reality - despite repeated pleas for intervention. The stagnant pools of wastewater, littered with plastic and organic debris, have turned parts of the residential area into a health hazard.

The affected zone, captured in recent images showing standing water and scattered trash, lies adjacent to homes and a dirt road, bordered by a durawall. Locals claim that the problem has persisted for months, with no significant response from municipal authorities.

"This is our life now. We dodge sewer water to get to work, to school, to the shops," said one resident, who asked not to be named. "We’ve reported it countless times, but nothing changes."

The overflow is believed to stem from blocked or collapsed drainage infrastructure, exacerbated by poor maintenance and ageing pipes. Residents have resorted to makeshift solutions - digging channels to redirect the wastewater or placing stones and planks to cross the flooded areas.

Efforts to engage city engineers and health officials have reportedly yielded no success. Community leaders say the lack of urgency from authorities is putting lives at risk, especially children who play near the contaminated water.

"This is not just an inconvenience. It’s a public health emergency," said a local activist. "We’re talking about exposure to cholera, typhoid, and other waterborne diseases. The city must act."

Bulawayo City Council officials were not immediately available for comment.