Story by Peter Chivhima
HEAVY rains that pounded Harare on Monday once again exposed long-standing failings in the city’s drainage infrastructure, prompting renewed criticism of the Harare City Council for what residents describe as chronic neglect.
Across several suburbs, streets quickly transformed into waterlogged channels as blocked drains failed to cope with runoff. For many residents and commuters, the scenes were all too familiar, an annual crisis they believe is avoidable.
“The Harare City Council must do something people are struggling to cross or walk on pavements.
“This is not good, the Harare City Council must not be seen chasing vendors and commuter omnibuses while ignoring this.
“They must do the work. I think our council is sleeping on duty because they can let such things happen while they are claiming to be in office,” residents vented their frustration.
Transport operators also raised their concerns.
“As transporters, we are concerned that our customers are now failing to cross the flooded areas to come here. We need proper infrastructure because we are paying money to them money every day. Our commuter omnibuses are spending almost two hours without loading because people are not coming here because of the dilapidated infrastructure,” Harare Youth Transporters Association chairperson, Mr Edmore Gwengwe.
Despite these repeated calls for action, the Harare City Council appears indifferent, having promised to respond, a promise that was never fulfilled.
The flooding comes at a time when the Harare City Council is already grappling with other service provision headaches, such as solid waste management.
