Bulawayo governor Cain Mathema has urged Bulawayo City Council (BCC) and Umguza Rural District Council (RDC) to iron out their differences which are preventing about 2 000 residents of Mbundane Township from accessing water.
Mbundane is located in Umguza district but lies in the Bulawayo master plan approved by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development in 2004 because of its proximity to the city.
Mbundane has been without water for the past seven years, leaving more than 2 000 residents facing risks of contracting diseases as they rely on one borehole.
“According to my understanding, the stands have been given to council but the water cannot be connected because of the disagreements between the two councils,” Mathema said.
“I appeal to the two councils to sit and resolve the matter because the people urgently need water. Whatever amount BCC needs to pay to Umguza can be settled later.”
Last year, the council acceded to an application by Mehluli Khumalo Land Developers for “voluntary incorporation” of Mbundane high-density suburb, built in 2005, into the city.
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However, differences between the developer and the RDC have resulted in the suburb going without water and the residents rely on one borehole.
Council approved the application and recommended that the land developers apply for incorporation to Local Government, Rural and Urban Development minister Ignatius Chombo.
Umguza, on the other hand, has vowed to block the move which it has described as technically impossible. In their application for incorporation, Mehluli Khumalo Land Developers said the Bulawayo master plan had already been approved by the ministry.
However, Umguza chief executive officer Collen Moyo said the move was not possible.
He said the land developers were not a land authority and so could not apply for incorporation.