AN environmentalist has threatened to take legal action against Bulawayo City Council (BCC) over the blocked drainage system in the city.
He called on BCC to engage a company or individuals to clear the drainage system and city centre roads, removing all the rubble and sand that are causing flooding of roads when it rains.
Since the onset of the rainy season, pedestrians have faced serious challenges while crossing roads, which turn into rivers as a result of flowing rainwater.
According to observations, the underground drainage system appears to be clogged up with solid waste and sand, resulting in rainwater flowing onto tarred roads much to the chagrin of pedestrians.
In an interview with Southern Eye, environmentalist and national tree ambassador Never Bonde expressed sadness that city centre tarred roads are covered in soil while grass is growing on roadsides.
He said council should act as a matter of urgency to remove these materials which have rendered the streets an eyesore.
“The city centre is covered with soil on tarred roads while mud is blocking the drainage system since the rainy season is upon us now,” Bonde said.
“The city is too dirty. We are urging BCC to subcontract people to clean the city, removing sand, mud and grass.
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“So we challenge the council to clean and remove these. If BCC does not do this we will sue it, we will take it to the courts that it is lowering the standards of the city.”
Bonde said council should instruct building owners in the city to remove sand and grass in front of their properties so that the city is restored to its former glory.
Bulawayo CBD drainage system faces significant challenges, primarily blocked drains from littering and insufficient maintenance, leading to flooding during the rainy
season.
Residents have also called for urgent council action to upgrade infrastructure, clear existing drains and implement smart water management like potential treatment and reuse, despite some ongoing pipe replacement efforts.
