Staff Reporter
Residents of Highfield Engineering in Harare have been grappling with a severe sewage burst for over two weeks, with the Harare City Council failing to address the issue, despite numerous complaints. The residents have expressed frustration at the local authority’s inability to fix the problem, with raw sewage now flowing openly in the area, posing serious health risks.
Mr. Garikai Ndlovu, a resident of Highfield voiced his frustration, stating that the council has not been responsive to the crisis.
“We have been living under the siege of this burst sewer for over two weeks now. The City Council here in Highfield hasn’t done anything, and when we ask, they tell us they have no vehicles or equipment to fix it. We can’t continue living like this,” he said.
Residents allege that on a previous occasion, council workers demanded money from the community before fixing the sewer system, despite the services being supposed to be free.
“Last time they came, they asked us for money to fix the sewer, but it burst again within four days. It’s clear they are just patching things up without addressing the root cause,” said another resident, Mrs. Pamela Moyo.
The situation has forced some households to resort to extreme measures, including seeking alternative places to bathe and use the toilet, as their own facilities have become unusable.
“Our toilets are overflowing, and we can’t even use them anymore. Many of us have to go to other areas just to take a bath or use the bathroom.The stench of raw sewage has permeated the area, making it difficult for residents to go about their daily lives,” said Mr Masaire
Businesses in the affected areas have also suffered as a result of the sewage bursts. Several local business owners have had to close down due to the unbearable conditions.
“I’ve had to close my shop because no one wants to come near here with the smell and the health risks involved. It’s affecting our livelihoods,” lamented Mrs. Tendai Mutasa, a local shop owner.
Efforts to get a response from the Harare City Council have been futile, with officials either unavailable or citing a lack of resources. The residents of Highfield are now calling for immediate intervention from the central Government or any relevant authorities to resolve the crisis before the situation worsens.
Local health experts have warned that continued exposure to raw sewage could result in serious outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid, further exacerbating the public health risks already present in the area.
