News / Local
Emakhandeni residents deplore poor service delivery
14 Dec 2014 at 16:28hrs | Views
RESIDENTS in Bulawayo's Emakhandeni suburb say service delivery is far from satisfactory in their ward and more efforts are required from the local councillor and the city council.
In interviews, residents told Radio Dialogue that their stay in one of the city's oldest suburbs was not fulfilling and there was a need for council to prioritise service delivery.
"There is so much crime in this suburb because there are no tower lights, criminals are doing as they please in the dark.
"It has been a full five months without any lights working and the council is not acting on it," said a resident, Leticia Ngwenya.
She said they were living in fear of criminals who were on the rampage in recent weeks.
"They broke into one of the houses in the suburb and stole property worth hundreds of United States dollars, we hope the police in conjunction with the council do something to protect residents," said Ngenywa.
An elderly resident in the suburb, Morgan Dube said there was a need for council to invest in a youth centre in the suburb, unemployed youths were engaging in criminal activities.
"We are bemoaning crime here but the root cause is the youth who have no means to raise income. There is a need for them to be pre-occupied at all times.
"My other worry is alcohol abuse, that should be put to an end because we are going to lose the kids to alcohol addiction," said Dube.
Soneni Ndlovu also from Emakhandeni said burst sewer pipes were the order of the day and council should respond to this problem urgently before residents were exposed to dangerous diseases.
"Some residents are living in fear of cholera and other diseases, the burst sewer pipes were reported months ago but the council has not acted upon it," said Ndlovu.
She said several sports bars dotted around the suburb were a cause for concern as they were contributing to the suburb's social decay.
Contacted for comment Ward 11 councillor, Pilate Moyo, whose area covers Emakhandeni said he was due for a community meeting with the residents at the weekend where he will tackle all their concerns.
In interviews, residents told Radio Dialogue that their stay in one of the city's oldest suburbs was not fulfilling and there was a need for council to prioritise service delivery.
"There is so much crime in this suburb because there are no tower lights, criminals are doing as they please in the dark.
"It has been a full five months without any lights working and the council is not acting on it," said a resident, Leticia Ngwenya.
She said they were living in fear of criminals who were on the rampage in recent weeks.
"They broke into one of the houses in the suburb and stole property worth hundreds of United States dollars, we hope the police in conjunction with the council do something to protect residents," said Ngenywa.
An elderly resident in the suburb, Morgan Dube said there was a need for council to invest in a youth centre in the suburb, unemployed youths were engaging in criminal activities.
"We are bemoaning crime here but the root cause is the youth who have no means to raise income. There is a need for them to be pre-occupied at all times.
"My other worry is alcohol abuse, that should be put to an end because we are going to lose the kids to alcohol addiction," said Dube.
Soneni Ndlovu also from Emakhandeni said burst sewer pipes were the order of the day and council should respond to this problem urgently before residents were exposed to dangerous diseases.
"Some residents are living in fear of cholera and other diseases, the burst sewer pipes were reported months ago but the council has not acted upon it," said Ndlovu.
She said several sports bars dotted around the suburb were a cause for concern as they were contributing to the suburb's social decay.
Contacted for comment Ward 11 councillor, Pilate Moyo, whose area covers Emakhandeni said he was due for a community meeting with the residents at the weekend where he will tackle all their concerns.
Source - Radio Dialogue
