Harare city to deal with problematic sewer line

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume says the city council will redesign and redirect sewer lines at the corner of Kaguvi Street and Abercorn Street in a bid to permanently resolve recurring sewer blockages at the site.

Posting on his Facebook page, Mafume said the council has already purchased the necessary equipment and expects the problem to be cleared within two weeks. He said the new equipment includes 13-metre ladders, winches and oxygen tanks, among other safety tools required for workers operating in deep and hazardous conditions.

According to the mayor, the manhole at the affected site is approximately 13 metres deep, making maintenance both complex and dangerous. He explained that the sewer system in that part of the city was constructed in the 1940s using Italian prisoners of war, and its age has contributed to persistent faults. To address the structural challenges, the council plans to redesign and redirect the sewer line and raise it from its current depth to reduce future risks and blockages.

Mafume attributed the frequent clogs to the disposal of clothes, blankets, rags and other materials into the sewer system, as some residents use these items in place of toilet paper. He said such practices have severely compromised the functionality of the ageing infrastructure.

The mayor added that the city has retrained its workers and strengthened safety protocols following the recent deaths of two council employees who suffocated while working in a sewer line, underscoring the urgent need for improved equipment and safer working conditions.