Bulawayo residents in Cowdray Park have demanded the immediate suspension of the controversial Kwangu/Ngokwami servicing project, accusing authorities of sidelining residents and attempting to impose a costly infrastructure scheme without adequate consultation.
The demands emerged from a residents’ consultation meeting convened by the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (Bpra) and Bulawayo United Residents Association (Bura) on Saturday, attended by about dozens of residents from Wards 6 and 15.
According to resolutions adopted at the meeting, residents want all project activities halted pending what they described as meaningful engagement involving both the City of Bulawayo and affected communities.
“Kwangu/Ngokwami must adjourn all activities in the area pending full consultation with Bulawayo City Council and residents,” the meeting resolved.
The residents’ groups said they were initially informed by the city council that Kwangu had been contracted to install sewer and road infrastructure in the area.
However, residents complained that despite assurances that consultations would be conducted, no formal engagement process had taken place.
The meeting heard that Kwangu had indicated that servicing Wards 6 and 15 would cost approximately US$39 million.
Residents also questioned a proposed funding model under which households would be expected to contribute about US$83 per month for five years.
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“Both City Council and Kwangu expect residents to fund the servicing. Kwangu proposes US$83 per month for five years, which residents deem unaffordable given the current economic conditions,” the report noted.
Residents further expressed concern over what they described as shifting development arrangements in Cowdray Park.
“Residents expressed fatigue with repeated service delivery schemes first the Consortium, then City Council, and now Kwangu. Residents also question why City Council continually changes land developers,” the report said.
The meeting also raised concerns over alleged intimidation during previous engagements involving project representatives and elected officials.
According to the report, residents reported “gross irregularities” at one meeting attended by Kwangu officials, councillors and the area’s legislator.
“Elected officials allegedly took turns to intimidate residents, stating that the Kwangu project was a Presidential directive and that residents had no right to withdraw from it,” the report stated.
Another major point of contention relates to the number of households expected to participate in the project.
While the city council reportedly estimates that there are 11 000 households in the two wards, residents claim independent investigations show there are more than 15 524 households.
The meeting also questioned the handling of previous payments made by residents for servicing.
According to the report, the city council informed residents that payments previously made in local currency, bond notes, RTGS and bearer cheques would be treated as “null and void”.
Residents also resolved that Kwangu should disclose a detailed bill of quantities for the project and revise conditions they consider unfavourable.
They also rejected any arrangement that would use private property as collateral for public road infrastructure and insisted that title deeds should remain under the control of property owners.
“Kwangu has no right to possess or preside over residents’ title deeds,” the meeting resolved.
The gathering adopted the slogan: “Nothing for us, without us”, while tasking senator Collet Ndlovu, Bpra and Bura to engage the Office of the President over the matter.
Residents also resolved to seek legal guidance and engage the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission as they push for greater transparency and accountability surrounding the project.
