Vic Falls residents fume over service woes
Victor Sibanda
Residents of Victoria Falls, the famed tourist town known for its breathtaking natural wonder, are expressing increasing discontent over the poor state of essential services in the city. Complaints range from unreliable water supplies and erratic refuse collection to frequent power cuts and dilapidated infrastructure.
The crux of the issue lies in a multitude of shortcomings residents grapple with daily. Inconsistent water supply leaves homes parched, disrupting routines and raising hygiene concerns. Inefficient waste management allows garbage to fester in streets, creating unsanitary conditions and posing health risks. To add insult to injury, residents face exorbitant water bills, despite the erratic supply and the additional expense of replacing malfunctioning meters clogged by sediment.
Mabel Moyo, a resident of Mkhosana Township lamented that they always experience recurrent water disruption. “For weeks, we haven’t had consistent water supply. We are forced to rely on expensive mineral water, which puts a strain on our already tight budgets. I am afraid residents may contract communicable water borne diseases such as cholera because we spend 24 hours without the precious liquid. The household water meters are broken down allowing the local authority to estimate costs which badly affects us,” said Moyo.
John Ndlovu, a business owner said: “The power cuts are crippling our businesses. We lose precious stock and income due to constant refrigeration failures. In addition to that, there is poor waste management in the yet the rates are exorbitant.”
Sarah Chikwanda, a community activist pointed out that garbage lies uncollected for some days posing a health hazard to the residents. She said raw sewege is flowing in all resdential areas and there is need for a lasting solution. “The overflowing bins and uncollected garbage are creating a health hazard. Mosquito breeding is a major concern, especially with the current dengue fever outbreak in the region,” added Chikwanda.
Residents are demanding immediate action from the local authority to address these issues. They urge the city council to prioritize service delivery, invest in infrastructure maintenance, and provide transparent communication regarding plans for improvement.
Ward 1 Councillor, Elphias Mambume assured the residents that all shall be well as council is seized with mapping up strategies to ease resident concerns. ” We have budgetary constraints which are a major contributing factor to the challenges. May I assure the residents to give us time as we forge our way to a better and habitable resort city. I concede that the residents are facing challenges ranging from water supply, sewage flows, poor drainage system especially in Mkosana Suburb and residential stands allocation. We will come up with a strategy soon,” said Mambume.
The Urban Councils Act Chapter 29.15 s183 compels council to exercise its powers in relation to water supply. “A council…to provide and maintain a supply of water within or outside its area by taking measures and constructing works as necessary, in accordance with the Water Act. Additionally, a council may enter into agreements for the purchase and sale of water and other necessary things related to water supply,” says the Act.
