Bulawayo water supplies to be disrupted

Residents across large parts of Bulawayo are expected to experience water supply interruptions from Sunday as the city council undertakes emergency repairs on the Criterion feeder pipeline.

Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube said the repairs became necessary after significant water leakages were detected along Goderich Avenue and Tshabalala Drive in the Donnington West industrial area.

Dube said the maintenance work is scheduled to commence on June 14 and is expected to be completed by June 16.

"Work begins on Sunday, 14 June 2026, and is expected to be completed by Tuesday, 16 June 2026," he said.

The repairs are expected to affect water supplies in several residential, industrial and institutional areas across the city.

Among the suburbs likely to be impacted are all Pumula suburbs, Mpopoma South, Sizinda, Tshabalala, Lobengula and Pelandaba. Industrial areas including Steeldale, Westondale, Kelvin Industries and Thorngrove Industrial Area will also be affected.

Key institutions and businesses such as Thorngrove Hospital and Delta Bon Accord are expected to experience disruptions, together with Minyela and surrounding areas.

The council has urged residents and businesses in the affected zones to make adequate preparations by storing sufficient water ahead of the shutdown period.

The emergency repairs form part of efforts to address infrastructure faults and reduce water losses within the city's supply network. Officials have indicated that normal water supplies will resume once the repair works are completed.