BCC approves board for water utility

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has approved the appointment of a temporary board to oversee the registration and initial operationalisation of the proposed Bulawayo Water Utility, as the local authority pushes ahead with plans to establish the entity.

The move comes amid ongoing debate over the project, with some residents expressing concern that the utility could pave the way for the privatisation of water services in the city.

According to a report presented by Town Clerk Christopher Dube on May 5, council had previously resolved during its April 1, 2026 meeting to appoint an interim board to provide governance, oversight and strategic guidance during the establishment phase of the utility.

"Council had earlier resolved during its 1 April 2026 meeting to appoint temporary board members who would provide governance, oversight and guidance during the establishment phase of the utility," the report stated.

The council agreed that the seven-member board would comprise five representatives from the City of Bulawayo's management team and two representatives from residents' associations.

Three management representatives had already been confirmed, namely Ephraim Ncube, Assistant Director in the Human Capital Department; Nesisa Mpofu, Corporate Communications Manager; and Sikhangele Zhou, Chamber Secretary for Legal and Administration.

To complete the management contingent, Town Clerk Dube nominated Cyprian Dabengwa, Deputy Finance Director, and Methusi Dibidi, Acting Director of Works.

Council also approved the inclusion of Permanent Ngoma, nominated by the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association, and Nobukhosi Dube, nominated by the Bulawayo Residents Association.

The report noted that no chairperson had been selected during the initial appointment process. A subsequent recommendation therefore proposed Ngoma as the temporary board chairperson.

Council also considered concerns over potential conflicts of interest involving Zhou, who currently serves as company secretary for the City of Bulawayo, the shareholder in the proposed utility.

To address this, the report recommended replacing Zhou with Thandekile Ngwenya, Principal Legal Officer, as company secretary for the utility.

Council subsequently endorsed Ngoma's appointment as temporary board chairperson and approved Ngwenya's appointment as company secretary.

The temporary board is expected to guide the early stages of establishing the Bulawayo Water Utility, including overseeing registration processes and laying the groundwork for its future operations.

The proposed utility remains a subject of public debate, with council maintaining that the initiative is aimed at improving water service delivery, while some residents continue to seek assurances that it will not result in the privatisation of the city's water resources.