Things fall apart in Bulawayo

By Tichaona Sibanda
12 September 2005

Once described as one of the cleanest cities in Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, the second largest city, now resembles a rural set up where residents are fetching water from unprotected sources as well as using the bush to relieve themselves.

The Zimbabwe Standard reported on Sunday that water shortages in the city have reached such critical levels that 32 schools face closure just a few days after opening. The worst affected suburbs in the city are Emakhandeni, Entumbane, Luveve and Magwegwe.

Our correspondent Themba Nkosi said there is fear there could be an outbreak of disease if the water situation is not resolved quick enough. Its reported that council has sought help from government to construct a pipeline between Mtshabezi and Mzingwane dams in a bid to improve pumping of water from the two dams.

The city is also racing against time to find alternative burial space as cemeteries fill up fast. According to the Standard, most of the cemeteries, especially those available to low-income earners, now have limited burial spaces likely to be full by December.