Vandals worry Kwekwe councillors

Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]

KWEKWE City councillors have raised concerns over severe manpower shortages hindering the local authority’s ability to deliver essential services.

The issue was discussed during a recent full council meeting held at the Town House.

Ward 9 Councillor, Maxwell Judha, highlighted that the shortage of staff, particularly in addressing water pipe and sewer burst issues, is causing significant delays in service delivery.

“Our workers are overwhelmed with work, and I suggest we recruit more employees to ease the burden on those currently on the ground. We have sewer bursts in different areas of the city, and it takes time to address these challenges because the workers are too few, especially in Mbizo,” he said.

Kwekwe Mayor, Councillor Albert Zinhanga, assured councillors that the matter would be escalated to the human resources committee for further discussion and consideration.

“This is a very important issue that we need to consider and discuss in our human resources committee to map a way forward,” he said.

The mayor also raised alarm over the vandalism of city infrastructure, including the theft of manhole covers and deliberate damage to water and sewer pipes. He attributed some of the damage to artisanal miners and emphasised the need to enforce city bylaws to curb these activities.

“We are having serious challenges with the vandalism of our infrastructure. Recently in Mbizo 22, a pipe was damaged, possibly by someone using an axe. We have also witnessed domestic animals roaming around residential suburbs.

“We need to activate our bylaws and take action to protect our infrastructure and restore order in the city,” said Clr Zinhanga.

The head of Kwekwe City Council’s works department, Engineer John Mhike, said vandalism and theft of manhole covers had become rampant.

“Vandalism and theft of manhole covers have become a major challenge, but we have since resorted to replacing iron manhole covers with concrete ones in all affected areas,” he said.

Ward 13 Councillor, Alfonse Mugwagwa, raised concerns about farmers near Mbizo 22 allowing their livestock to graze in residential areas.

“We have some farmers herding their cattle in our residential areas and something needs to be done,” he said.

The councillors stressed the urgency of addressing these issues to improve service delivery and protect the city’s infrastructure.