Sewer bursts, title deeds dominate Bulawayo residents meeting

Sewer bursts, deteriorating road infrastructure and uncertainty surrounding proposed changes to title deed security dominated discussions at a residents' meeting in Bulawayo's Ward 25, as community members pressed local authorities for solutions to growing service delivery challenges.

The meeting, attended by Ward 25 councillor Aleck Ndlovu, officials from the Bulawayo City Council and representatives of the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association, highlighted increasing frustration among residents over municipal services and concerns about property ownership rights.

Sewer blockages and overflows emerged as one of the most pressing issues, with residents raising concerns about the frequency of sewer bursts in their neighbourhoods and the associated health risks.

Ndlovu acknowledged that sewer-related problems had become a widespread challenge affecting not only Ward 25 but other parts of the city.

"Sewer bursts and blockages have become a major challenge affecting not only Ward 25 but Bulawayo as a whole," he said.

He attributed part of the problem to the improper disposal of waste into drainage systems and urged residents to refrain from discarding items such as diapers, utensils and other solid waste into sewers.

"Such practices contribute to sewer blockages and subsequent sewage overflow, affecting public health and the environment," Ndlovu said.

Concerns over title deed security also featured prominently during the meeting after residents sought clarification on reported government plans to strengthen property ownership systems.

Housing department official Lovemore Dube told residents that authorities were working on measures aimed at improving the security of title deeds and reducing disputes over property ownership.

"Government is working on a programme aimed at strengthening and tightening the security of title deeds to improve accountability and reduce disputes over property ownership," Dube said.

However, residents expressed concern over what they viewed as limited public consultation on the proposed reforms, saying much of the information had been obtained through social media and online platforms rather than official channels.

Several participants called for greater transparency and broader public engagement to ensure homeowners fully understand the implications of any changes to property ownership systems.

The state of Bulawayo's roads also came under scrutiny during the meeting.

Ndlovu acknowledged that road infrastructure remains a major challenge, citing inadequate funding allocations as one of the primary constraints facing the city.

"The city is concerned about the deteriorating road network. The challenge is attributed to inadequate funding from Zinara, as the funds allocated to council are insufficient," he said.

He noted that road rehabilitation programmes had already commenced, with priority being given to key routes within the central business district.

"The city has already begun road rehabilitation works, starting with key roads in the city centre, which serve as the face of Bulawayo's road network," Ndlovu said.

He encouraged residents to work closely with local authorities and play an active role in protecting and maintaining public infrastructure.

The meeting reflected growing concerns among residents over service delivery challenges in Zimbabwe's second-largest city, with calls for faster action on infrastructure maintenance, improved communication from authorities and greater community involvement in local governance issues.