Cowdray Park residents trapped in sanitation nightmare

Persistent rains in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, have turned daily life into a struggle for residents, particularly in the Garikai Hlalani Kuhle Segment Phase Two, where flooding, collapsing sanitation, and poor infrastructure continue to take a heavy toll.

During heavy downpours, water streams into homes, forcing families to pile soil at their doorways to keep floodwater out. Sleep has become a luxury for many, who stay awake guarding their property. Overflowing Blair toilets and septic tanks have worsened the situation, attracting swarms of flies and creating unsanitary conditions.

Some areas become completely inaccessible during the rainy season, making walking dangerous and ambulances often unable to reach homes in emergencies. Transport operators charge exorbitant fares to navigate the muddy, impassable roads, putting residents further at risk.

Gift Dube, a Bulawayo Residents Association (BURA) representative in Cowdray Park, said the flooding problem has persisted for years. "There are some houses just after Vulindlela Primary School that have always been losing property when it rains heavily due to poor drainage," he said. He stressed that long-term solutions include establishing a proper sewer system and fully servicing the area.

A B-Metro visit revealed illegal dumping sites filled with used diapers and chicken manure, posing serious health risks. "I used to burn this dump site and it made life better, but EMA stopped me," one resident said, expressing concern for children exposed to potential disease outbreaks.

Modern Sibanda, another BURA representative, highlighted the dangers posed by overflowing Blair toilets, which contaminate streets and pose a high risk for disease. "Children play in pools contaminated with sewage, and foul smells and flies invade homes, spreading disease," he said.

Access to education is also constrained, with the area having only one primary school that cannot accommodate all children, forcing many to attend private, unregistered schools.

Some houses identified as being built along waterways were earmarked for relocation over three years ago, but no action has been taken. Residents resort to digging trenches to divert water, often sparking disputes with neighbors, underscoring the need for council-approved drainage systems.

The Bulawayo City Council maintains that improvements are ongoing but are dependent on available resources. Residents, however, continue to bear the brunt of poor infrastructure, flooding, and inadequate sanitation, leaving them vulnerable to property loss and health hazards each rainy season.