Takudzwa Changadeya
HARARE: Residents of Harare are calling for immediate action from the Harare City Council, blaming poor maintenance of the city’s drainage system for severe flooding caused by rains.
The rchallenge which has of late been experienced in all major cities has resulted in significant damage, including the destruction of boundary walls and buildings, leading many to question whether Harare still deserves its “Sunshine City” status.
Gamuchirai Kasamba, a Mabvuku resident, expressed her disappointment, stating, “Harare was once clean and organized. Now, it feels like a disaster zone. The council must do better.”
Melody Chiraga echoed these sentiments, highlighting the dangers posed by the flooding.
“This isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a serious hazard. The city council must act urgently to restore Harare’s glory and fix the drainage system,” she said.
Harare Deputy Mayor Kudzai Kadzombe recently announced measures to address the problem.
Writing on her X (formerly Twitter) account, she assured residents that steps are being taken to reduce flash floods during the rainy season.
“Your council has started cleaning of storm water drains in preparation of the rains to prevent flooding,” she said.
She also emphasised that they are not ignorant.
“Residents spoke about the lack of bins in the CBD as one of the contributing factors to littering and council listened.
“We have bought 1 500 drum bins that are being manufactured and will be installed,” she added.
Despite these assurances, many residents remain unconvinced, demanding concrete results instead of promises.
Precious Shumba, Director of the Harare Residents Trust (HRT), highlighted the gravity of the situation.
“Drainage in the CBD is a critical issue requiring immediate attention. Workers must ensure that debris removed from blocked drains is properly disposed of at the Pomona Dumpsite or other appropriate locations.
“Poor workmanship is often a problem, and many broken drainage systems need reconstruction using bricks and cement,” Shumba said.
Shumba also noted that collapsed drainage structures along major roads and accumulated debris, including plastic, paper, leaves, and bottles, contribute significantly to the blockages.
