Harare City Council has embarked on a sewer pipe rehabilitation programme in Mbare aimed at replacing smaller diameter pipes with bigger ones to ease congestion and end persistent blockages in the high-density suburb.
The project will focus on both sewer collection lines and the main trunk, targeting chronic trouble spots including Muchenje, Mwamuka, Dumbutshena and Chinhamora areas.
The Mbare flats, some of the capital's oldest high-rise residential blocks, have long stood as stark symbols of urban decay.
Characterised by crumbling facades, broken lifts, burst geysers, and raw sewage frequently spilling into walkways, the hostels have become notorious for their deplorable living conditions.
Over the decades, numerous governments and council administrations have announced ambitious refurbishment programmes to multi-million-dollar structural overhauls yet nearly all have fizzled out due to chronic underfunding and corruption scandals.
Previous attempts to revamp the flats, including several high-profile pledges by successive ministers, have either stalled mid-construction or been abandoned completely, leaving residents trapped in a cycle of broken promises and environmental health hazards.
Council officials, however, said the sewer works will be prioritised to minimise disruption to residents while improving sanitation and public health in Mbare.
Mayor Jacob Mafume said the initial phase will see 800 metres of sewer line replaced.
“The aim is to increase the volume movement, velocity and easy passage of waste,” Mapfume said.
“The idea is to decongest the area which is believed to have been the main cause of sewer clogging in different Mbare areas.”
Acting town clerk Warren Sean Chiwawa said council was planning to replace a total of 3km of sewer pipeline in Mbare before rolling out similar works to other suburbs.
“The idea is to make sure the workforce is well motivated and make sure everyone focuses on service delivery on all council projects,” Chiwawa said.
The mayor said the sewer upgrade is part of the broader rehabilitation of Mbare programme that is on the cards.
He added that a major flats construction project is earmarked for Mbare, and revamping the sewer outflow system is critical ahead of that development.