The City of Bulawayo has raised concerns regarding the growing number of dogs being kept on private properties, with these animals becoming a nuisance within the community.
In a recent notice, Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube said that no individual shall keep a dog aged six months or older within the council’s jurisdiction without holding a valid licence. The notice reads:
<blockquote>
The City of Bulawayo has noted that there is an increasing number of dogs being kept on private properties and that these dogs are causing a nuisance to residents.
Dog owners and the general public are hereby advised that, in terms of the Bulawayo (Dog Licensing and Control) By-Laws.
1. No person shall keep a dog aged 6 months or more in the Council area unless he/she is the holder of a licence.
2. No person shall keep in the Council area more than two dogs on any property measuring less than 2000 square meters, and not more than 4 dogs on any larger property.
3. No person shall allow his dog(s) to roam outside his premises without restraint.
4. Dogs shall only be kept where the property is securely fenced/walled and gated. (A hedge is not permissible.)
5. Dogs within the Council area shall be vaccinated against rabies.
6. No person shall breed a dog or keep an unspayed bitch in the Council area unless he/she is a licensed breeder.
A dog licence is valid from (1 January-31 December) and can be obtained from any City of Bulawayo Revenue Office upon production of a valid vaccination certificate and payment of a fee of US$24 for a male dog and USD$27 for a female and an unspayed dog USD$27.
Dog owners who can no longer care for or need their dogs are advised to surrender them to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
Residents and stakeholders are advised that the City of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Republic Police. Department of Veterinary Field Services, and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) will respond to any complaints.
Complaints or queries can be lodged with the City of Bulawayo Customer Contact Centre on 02922 71290 (for all networks) or WhatsApp 0774 668 432 or email callcentre@citybyo.co.zw or the Health Services Department on 02922 72569, or 02922 75011 ext.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

The City of Bulawayo is concerned about too many dogs causing problems in the town. People need to get a license if they have a dog over six months old. They can only keep a certain number of dogs based on the size of their property. Dogs must be vaccinated, restrained on their property, and kept behind a fence or wall. If people can't take care of their dogs, they should give them to the SPCA. Complaints about dogs can be made to the city, police, vet services, or SPCA. Get a license from the city office by showing a vaccination certificate and paying a fee.

City Of Bulawayo Cracks Down On Unlicensed Dog Ownership

The Bulawayo City Council impounded several vehicles parked overnight in undesignated areas across western suburbs, including Emganwini, Nketa, and Nkulumane, on Sunday night. The vehicles were found parked outside car parks, as well as at shopping centres and fuel stations.
Moxen Moyo, the owner of a local car park, told <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/bcc-in-shock-nicodemus-raids-on-improperly-parked-vehicles/">Chronicle</a> that many vehicle owners have been bypassing his facility in favour of the “cheaper” alternative provided by parking at fuel stations. He said:
<blockquote>
The security guard at the fuel station has been charging the vehicle owners R10 overnight and some have been avoiding using the registered car park in order not to pay the US$1 that we charge per night.
This morning those that park their cars at the fuel station woke up to find the vehicles gone.
</blockquote>
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Edwin Ndlovu, said the operation is part of enforcing long-standing by-laws that govern the parking of vehicles in undesignated areas overnight. He said:
<blockquote>
The Bulawayo City Council will continue to enforce standing by-laws such as the one that speaks to the improper parking of vehicles in undesignated places overnight.
The council will not give notices when enforcing standing by-laws. A notice before enforcement is only sent out when the by-law is new.
We encourage residents to abide by the by-laws of the city all the time to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law.
</blockquote>
Some of the by-laws stipulate that vehicles that are abandoned are given a 10-day notice to be removed. If not claimed, the council will tow them to a secure compound at the owner’s expense.
Vehicles that are dirty, have punctured tyres, or are unlicensed are also impounded and taken to a secure compound at the owner’s expense.
Push carts are not allowed in the Central Business District (CBD). Violators are fined, and their push carts are impounded.
The council publishes a list of immobilised vehicles in a newspaper and advises owners to claim them within 30 days. If vehicles are not claimed within 30 days, they will be sold at a public auction.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The Bulawayo City Council took away many cars parked in the wrong places during the night in areas like Emganwini, Nketa, and Nkulumane. This was to enforce the rules about where cars can be parked. Some people were choosing to park at fuel stations instead of paying to use a registered car park. The council will keep on enforcing these rules and vehicles that are taken will be kept at the owner's cost. Push carts are also not allowed in certain areas. If owners don't claim their vehicles within 30 days, they will be sold at an auction.

Bulawayo City Council Impounds Vehicles Parked in Undesignated Areas During Overnight Crackdown

The City of Bulawayo has begun implementing its Public Transport Policy, which had been postponed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
In a statement released on Tuesday, November 5, Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube said the policy was originally approved by the Council on October 3, 2012.
He said the primary objective of the Public Transport Policy is to establish a safe and efficient public transportation system for the residents of Bulawayo. Said Dube:
<blockquote>
The formulation of the Policy involved consultation with the Public Transport Operators, Commuters and other key stakeholders.
One of the major components of the Policy was the signing of Service Level Agreements with Transport Operator Companies operating in the City.
However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and suspension of operations by independent Public Transport Operators in March 2020, delayed the signing of the agreements.
With the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the resumptions of operation by Public Transport Operators, the implementation of the Policy has gone back on track and the City of Bulawayo signed Service Level Agreements with Public Transport Companies on Friday, 18th of October 2024.
</blockquote>
The public transport companies that have been approved and are recognized by the City of Bulawayo are Bulawayo City Transit Trust, BUPTA Limited, Bulawayo West Transporters Private Limited, Tshova Mubaiwa Transport Co-Operative Company (Private) Limited, and VUTA Taxies (Private) Limited.
The City of Bulawayo has since advised the public transport companies to take up their positions at the respective termini to enable servicing of their designated service areas.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The City of Bulawayo is finally starting to put their Public Transport Policy in place after delays from the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy aims to make transportation safe and efficient for residents. The City has made agreements with different transport companies to provide services. Now that COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the policy is back on track. Approved transport companies like Bulawayo City Transit Trust and others are ready to start operating. The City is telling them to go to their assigned spots to start providing services to the residents.

Long-Awaited Public Transport Policy Takes Effect In Bulawayo

The City of Bulawayo has officially decommissioned the Upper Ncema Dam due to critically low water levels.
In a recent notice to residents, the council announced that Upper Ncema is the second dam to be decommissioned since November 2023, following the decommissioning of UMzingwane Dam.
As of October 2, 2024, the water levels in Bulawayo’s dams were as follows: Insiza at 40.33%, Inyankuni at 18.07%, Lower Ncema at 21.46%, and Mtshabezi at 50.79%. UMzingwane, which has been decommissioned, recorded 2.14%, while Upper Ncema was at 2.03%. Said the council:
<blockquote>
The Upper Ncema Dam, a crucial Reservoir located on the same river as the Lower Ncema Dam, was intended to replenish the latter during the dry season. 
However, due to the ongoing drought, the dam gates had to be opened prematurely on August 28, 2024. 
Consequently, the Upper Ncema Dam has reached its non-operational level (dead-water level) and will be decommissioned effective October 3, 2024.
</blockquote>
The local authority has informed residents that the decommissioning of the Upper Ncema Dam will significantly worsen the City’s water supply challenges.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The city of Bulawayo has stopped using Upper Ncema Dam because there is not enough water. This is the second dam to be closed in recent times. The other dams in Bulawayo are also low on water. Upper Ncema had to be closed early because of a drought. This will make the water shortage in Bulawayo even worse. This news will affect the people living in Bulawayo who may have less water available to them.

Bulawayo Water Crisis Deepens As Upper Ncema Dam Is Decommissioned

Mpilo Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narcisius Dzvanga, has slammed the City of Bulawayo and the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) for failing to exempt the hospital from water and power cuts, respectively.
Dzvanga made the comments after a power outage interrupted a visit by United States Ambassador Pamela Tremont, who was touring the hospital’s HIV laboratory, which is supported by the U.S. government.
Senzeni Ncube, writing for <a href="https://cite.org.zw/power-outage-disrupts-u-s-ambassadors-visit-to-mpilo-hospital/">CITE</a>, reported that due to the power outage, Ambassador Tremont was unable to see the laboratory equipment in operation. Said Dzvanga:
<blockquote>
As I was coming here, I had my secretary send a reminder to the parent ministry about our request for exemption from outages.
We have several key institutions here, including lines that serve the State House and even water supply, but they can’t separate us from the general grid.
</blockquote>
Dzvanga said that Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart indicated it is feasible to dedicate a water supply to Mpilo without interruptions, although ZESA said it would be difficult to guarantee uninterrupted power supply. He said:
<blockquote>
At the ministerial and cabinet level, it has been long agreed that all health institutions must be exempt from power cuts, including cases of non-payment for water and electricity.
</blockquote>
Dzvanga also revealed that Mpilo Hospital has a solar farm capable of powering the entire facility, but a vital cable for connection is still being sourced from Germany.
He added that once the power cable is installed, the hospital will no longer experience power outages.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The boss of a hospital in Zimbabwe is mad because they had no power during a visit by a US Ambassador. He wanted the hospital to be exempt from power and water cuts. The Ambassador couldn't see the lab equipment working due to the power outage. The hospital has a solar farm that can power everything, but they need a cable from Germany. Once they have the cable, they won't have any more power outages. The hospital boss wants all health institutions to be exempt from power cuts.

Power Outage Disrupts U.S. Ambassador’s Tour of Mpilo Hospital’s HIV Laboratory

The Bulawayo City Council says it has allocated 419 of the 576 vending bays along Fifth Avenue market in the central business district.
In a statement issued on Friday, Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube said the allocation processes will be completed by Wednesday, 8 May 2024. Said Dube:
<blockquote>
The City of Bulawayo would like to advise members of the public that 576 vending stalls have been demarcated along Fifth Avenue.
The allocation of these bays is in progress with all necessary due processes being carried out to ensure that the allocation process is done meticulously.
The allocation is also being done in consultation with the Informal Traders Working Group in line with Council policies.
To date, 419 vending bays, covering both the new and second-hand clothing, as well as the fruit and vegetables have been allocated and beneficiaries are doing the rest of the formalities, which include the health and hygiene requirements before moving to the site.
It is anticipated that the allocation processes will be completed by Wednesday, 8th May 2024 and, that all beneficiaries should have taken their positions by this date.
Members of the public and stakeholders are therefore requested to be patient to allow Council to complete the allocation process.
</blockquote>
This statement comes a day after several vendors were arrested in the CBD after clashing with municipal police who had moved to confiscate wares.
The informal traders also staged a demonstration, accusing the council of delaying the allocation process and also allocating the stalls to individuals who were not originally from Bulawayo.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo City Council Has Allocated 419 Vending Bays In The CBD - Town Clerk

The City of Bulawayo says residents will continue receiving water for only two days per week, as water levels continue to dwindle at major supply dams due to drought.
The current 120-hour weekly water-shedding period might be increased to 140 hours.
This was said by Bulawayo director of engineering services, Sikhumbuzo Ncube, on Tuesday, 12 March during a tour of some of the city’s water projects by Netherlands Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Her Excellency Margret Verwijk.
Verwijk visited several projects including the city’s Revenue Hall and four water kiosks that were installed around the city to improve access to water.
The four water kiosks are located in Magwegwe (two), Cowdray Park, and Nkulumane.
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city is experiencing a 120-hour water-shedding period as it seeks to conserve water. Said Ncube (<a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/120-hour-water-shedding-to-continue-till-supplies-improve/">via Chronicle</a>):
<blockquote>
We all appreciate that the water situation remains critical. Our water levels in the city dams are at 41 percent yet we are approaching the end of the rainy season.
This means we are going to sustain the 120-hour weekly water shedding period for a prolonged period maybe up to December.
By June we might even need to review the water shedding programme depending on the water situation in our dams. We might need to increase to a 140 hour-weekly water shedding period.
At the moment we will try to maintain the 120 weekly water shedding, meaning residents will continue to receive water twice a week.
</blockquote>
Verwijk said that The Netherlands has a lot of expertise in water resource management and it was encouraging to see communities being involved in protecting water infrastructure in Bulawayo.
Communities are in charge of the water kiosks and bear the costs of repairing any infrastructure that is damaged. Said the diplomat:
<blockquote>
I come from a country, which is very small. It fits into Mashonaland West, it is very tiny but water and water management is something that we have mastered very well.
Some of the land we gained from the sea, we didn’t occupy anyone’s land, we took it from the sea.
Water management and protecting ourselves from the sea and utilising all the rivers in the Netherlands for the purposes of production agriculture, household water consumption is something that we are specialised in.
So, it is very nice to see that Dutch water utilities and water operations are supporting your community in accessing potable and clean water. It is important, water is life.
</blockquote>
Verwijk said her country has been supporting water management in Bulawayo, Mutare and Harare, with the aim of providing safe drinking water to communities.
She urged residents to pay their bills saying “Water is not for free, clean potable water is very valuable and it was good to see that people start to understand that, so that the revenues are actually realised.”
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo's 120-hour Water Shedding May Be Raised To 140 Hours

The City of Bulawayo has finally yielded to pressure from residents to allow informal traders operating at the 5th Avenue market in the city centre to operate legally.
Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube announced the latest development in a statement issued on Thursday, 08 February. He said:
<blockquote>
The Bulawayo City Council at its meeting of 7 February 2024 resolved to temporarily close a portion of 5th Avenue to accommodate 500 informal trading bays.
The closure of a portion of 5th Avenue will comply with the Roads Act Chapter 13:13 Part VI Section 33 and rescind previous Council resolutions of 3rd June 2020 and 7 December 2022.
The portion of 5th Avenue will now have two riding lanes and vending bays for the 500 informal traders.
Council recognises the need to strike a balance amongst multiple functionalities such as parking, informal trading, vehicular traffic movement and access to property by property owners, hence the closure of a portion of 5th Avenue.
The temporary closure will ensure that all road users including property owners from the Southern side can park their vehicles close to their working spaces.
The decision to temporarily close 5th Avenue is a result of stakeholder engagement and further dovetails into the City of Bulawayo’s strategy to enhance local economic development through the provision of accessible and affordable working spaces.
The temporary closure of 5th Avenue will be complemented by the establishment of a new vending site for clothing and fruits along Lobengula Street between the 2nd Avenue terminus and the municipal Roads Yard.
We expect all traders on 5th Avenue to vacate the road to allow the implementation of the Council resolution. 
The execution of the resolution will entail cleaning the area, demarcation of bays, construction of safe working spaces and allocation of vending bays in the usual manner.
</blockquote>
Dube said to be registered, informal traders should produce a copy of their identity document (I.D), processed fingerprint forms, proof of residence for a property in Bulawayo, two passport-size photos and requisite fees for the licence.
He said for those trading in fruits and vegetables, pre-examination for contagious diseases and lessons on food handling with the City of Bulawayo Health Services Department (Khami Road Clinic) is required.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo City Council Legalises Vending In CBD

The Bulawayo Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) has commended the City of Bulawayo for giving an ultimatum to illegal vendors to vacate the streets, saying trading is a way to make a living but it needs to be done in an orderly manner.
This comes after the Bulawayo Town Clerk issued a statement advising illegal informal traders to move to designated sites no later than Friday, 9 February 2024.
Dube warned that “the full force of the law will be implemented against those who continue to breach the relevant bylaws both immediately, after the deadline and going forward .”
As reported by the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/bulawayo-chamber-of-smes-applauds-city-councils-move-to-restore-order-and-remove-illegal-vendors/">Chronicle</a>, Bulawayo Chamber of SMEs coordinator Nketa Mangoye Dlamini said the Urban Councils Act mandate the council to govern all economic and social activities in the city including CBD, residential areas, all economic zones and other activities. Said Dlamini:
<blockquote>
The ultimatum to say let’s restore order is important as it follows the law. If you look around, what’s happening now in Bulawayo, there is chaos, we want SMEs to prosper and we want development in the country and we want SMEs to start up and grow but all these things have to be done in a well-planned orderly manner.
When you look at the streets that are currently occupied by illegal vendors, both pedestrians and vehicles can hardly move because streets and pavements are jammed.
</blockquote>
He expressed concern over the lack of ablution facilities, which becomes a health threat with the growing concern about the cholera outbreak. Added Dlamini:
<blockquote>
There is a need to restore order and sanity in the city, Bulawayo is no longer as clean as it was, we cannot have a situation where everyone does as he or she pleases but when things turn bad fingers are pointed at the city council, that is not proper.
Bulawayo Chamber of SMEs promotes the formalisation of businesses. We encourage them to formalise and we train them and encourage them to follow business ethics and to occupy spaces as given by authorities.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the City of Bulawayo has advised residents that the transporting of commuters from Egodini shall begin on Monday 5th February 2024.
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GFV00pVXcAAEO-j?format=jpg&amp;name=large"/><img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GFV00paWkAAsD_h?format=jpg&amp;name=large"/>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo Chamber Of SMEs Commends Council's Move To Remove Street Vendors

The Bulawayo City Council has ordered street vendors to stop trading from undesignated sites by 09 February or be chased away by municipal police.
In a statement, City of Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube said all informal traders in the city must have a valid Vendors Licence. He said:
<blockquote>
All illegal informal traders are warned and advised to move to designated sites no later than February 9, 2024.
Registered informal traders who have abandoned their bays and/or are not paying the requested council fees are advised to return to their bays and regularise their operations.
All informal traders in Bulawayo are required to have a valid Vendors Licence.
</blockquote>
As reported by <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/bulawayo-gives-illegal-vendors-public-transporters-february-9-ultimatum/">ZimLive</a>, kombis (commuter omnibuses) are also being moved back to Egodini after eight years following the completion of the first phase of a project to build a mall.
The mall has 400 vending stalls with 350 more set to be added.
Bulawayo mayor David Coltart estimates 5 000 street vendors are trading in the CBD, a large majority of them illegally.
The council charges monthly rentals of US$11.50 for CBD bays or a one-off annual fee of US$23.
Outside the CBD the charges are US$5.75 per month and a one-off annual fee of US$11.50. 
The local authority also warned it clamp down on a wide range of illegal activities, including the washing of cars in the city centre, street vehicle repairs, public transport operators using illegal pick-up points, vehicles delivering farm produce and littering. Added Dube:
<blockquote>
The City of Bulawayo will be conducting an exercise to eliminate all illegal activities to restore order and cleanliness.
All informal traders are requested to keep the city clean by ensuring that their trading places are cleared after trading hours and are further advised that the full force of the law will be implemented against those who continue to breach the relevant bylaws both immediately, after the deadline and going forward.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the City of Bulawayo has advised residents that the transporting of commuters from Egodini shall begin on Monday 5th February 2024.
The high rate of unemployment in Zimbabwe has pushed thousands of people into vending, with most of the traders operating from undesignated places such as pavements in urban areas.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo Council Orders Illegal Vendors, Public Transporters To Vacate CBD By 09 February

Bulawayo residents who bought residential stands in Magwegwe West and Pumula are contemplating taking legal action after the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) demanded that they top up the money they paid for the stands in foreign currency.
Residents bought the housing stands in 2016 and are still waiting for the areas to be serviced.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) secretary for administration Thembelani Dube told <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local-news/article/200022036/bulawayo-council-residents-at-loggerheads-over-us-top-fees">Southern Eye on Sunday</a> that the council was changing goalposts. Said Dube:
<blockquote>
The top-up violates the initial agreements that the buyers had with the local authority during the time the stands were available. Any deviation from that calls for legal action.
</blockquote>
He said BPRA was waiting for feedback from the Government after it submitted a petition on the council’s demands.
BCC is demanding as much as US$6 000 depending on the size of the stand in top-ups.
The local authority is also threatening to repossess the land over failure to pay the fees.
Dube said the council had done nothing to develop the stands in Magwegwe West and Ntemba in Pumula, among other areas.
Bulawayo, like many urban areas in Zimbabwe, sells unserviced housing stands to desperate home-seekers due to a huge housing backlog.
Due to the unavailability of proper roads, running water and sewer systems, the quality of life for residents is compromised.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo Council, Residents Clash Over US Dollar Top-up Fees

The Mayor of Bulawayo, David Coltart says the funds allocated to the construction of dams in the 2024 National Budget are inadequate.
Mthuli Ncube, the Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, allocated ZWL$389 towards dam construction projects in the country. Said Ncube:
<blockquote>
Under the 2024 National Budget overall support towards dam dam construction projects amounts to Z$389 billion with priority being on the completion of the Gwayi-Shangani dam and pipeline with the dam now at the advanced stage of completion.
Other targetted dams include Kunzvi Dam with the associated treatment plant and conveyancing pipeline, Ziminya, Tulu-Manyange, Bindura, Semwa, Silverstroom and Vungu dams.
</blockquote>
However, Coltart said the total amount allocated to dam construction is less than a quarter of the amount needed for the Gwaai-Shangani to Bulawayo pipeline alone. He said:
<blockquote>
Professor Ncube states that a total of ZWL$369 billion has been allocated for the construction of ALL dams and pipelines in Zimbabwe next year.
He states that his priority is “the completion of the Gwaai Shangani dam and pipeline.”
ZWL$369 billion equates to US$67 million. The Gwaai Shangani to Bulawayo pipeline alone is expected to cost a minimum of US$400 million.
Accordingly, if every single cent of this budget allocation is applied to the pipeline alone it will still take almost 6 years to complete at this rate.
Obviously, it will be much longer than this because the Z$369 billion is the total applied for all dam projects.
Bulawayo simply cannot wait another decade or more. Our engineers insist that our short-term water needs are best served by duplicating the pipelines from the Insiza and Mtshabezi dams to Ncema purification works and building the Glassblock Dam (which will cost about half the cost of the Gwaai Shangani/Bulawayo pipeline.)
I implore the central Government to take what our engineers say seriously. We cannot afford to allow Bulawayo to run out of water when we have water supplies right on our doorstep.
</blockquote>
The City of Bulawayo has been grappling with water shortages for decades as its supply dams cannot provide enough water for the city throughout the year.
The city depends on six supply dams, Insiza, Inyankuni, Lower Ncema, Upper Ncema, Umzingwane, and Mtshabezi which are all located in Matabeleland South Province.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

"ZWL$369 Billion Allocated To Dam Construction Projects Too Little"

The City of Bulawayo may be forced to prolong the 72-hour water-shedding regime due to the low levels of water in the city’s supply dams, reported <a href="https://cite.org.zw/bulawayo-braces-for-extended-water-shedding-as-dam-levels-dwindle/">CITE</a>.
Bulawayo depends on six supply dams, Insiza, Inyankuni, Lower Ncema, Upper Ncema, Umzingwane, and Mtshabezi which are all located in Matabeleland South Province.
Speaking to journalists during a tour of the dams on Friday, Bulawayo City Council (BCC) Corporate Communications Manager Nesisa Mpofu said:
<blockquote>
From what we have seen, unfortunately, we must maintain the water shedding because our dams are low.
And, we have to be mindful that sometimes we have electricity outages, which affect the current water schedule and result in some residents spending more time without water.
Sometimes it will be an issue of water pipe bursts. If that occurs, we have to shut down the whole area that is affected until the situation is resolved.
We also need to address the issue of supply of materials. As residents, we have to play our part by paying our bills on time.
Without adequate materials, it becomes difficult to attend to some of the challenges that contribute to water shedding.
</blockquote>
The chairperson of the Future Water and Action Committee, Cllr Edwin Sibanda, said that they have forwarded a proposal to the council to buy more pumps as a short-term measure and to build another dam as a medium-term solution to the water shortages. Said Sibanda:
<blockquote>
The water situation in the city is very dire. We need to up our game and come up with immediate solutions.
We propose to construct another dam to complement the existing ones. We have seen the water levels, they are very low.
This tour has shown us the water levels in our supply dams and we have seen their capacity but it cannot save the City of Bulawayo which has grown over the years.
So as the Future Water and Action Committee, we propose that we construct a new dam. We currently have a proposal to construct the Glass Block dam in Filabusi which could supply at least 70 percent of our water requirements in the city. So basically that is our short to medium-term plan.
Secondly, we need to buy new pumps. At Umzingwane only one out of four pumps is working. We do have water but our pumping capacity is below what we require.
The short term can be getting new pumps and the medium term can be the construction of a new dam.
The pumping system needs to be improved as a matter of urgency and we also need to pray that we can get better rains so that the water level can improve.
In the previous council, it was said that the water that is left may sustain us for six months only but according to the law we need to leave a certain amount of water that will keep aqua life alive so technically speaking the water might not even reach the six months. We are in serious trouble as a city if we do not get enough rain.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, meteorologists say Zimbabwe is likely to receive less than average rainfall leading to a drought in the 2023/24 rainy season due to the El Niño climate phenomenon.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) recently said the ongoing El Niño event is expected to last at least until April 2024.
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More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/11/18/president-mnangagwa-reverses-the-appointment-of-general-valerio-sibanda-to-zanu-pf-politburo/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo Braces For Prolonged Water Rationing

The Bulawayo City Council said that it will continue to maintain the 72-hour water-shedding programme, amid indications that the city is left with just six months’ supply of water.
<a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/bulawayo-dams-drop-to-45-six-months-supply-left-lake-gwayi-shangani-scheduled-for-completion-next-year/">The Sunday News</a> reported City of Bulawayo spokesperson, Nesisa Mpofu, as saying the city’s water supply dams are less than 50% full at a time when water consumption is very high. She said:
<blockquote>
As we speak our dams are 45,19 percent full which means we are way below half and it is a critical time largely because we are in the hot season where consumption is bound to increase, so we are also calling on stakeholders to continuously conserve water.
From what we have seen, unfortunately, we have to maintain the water shedding because our dam levels are low.
We also have to be mindful that occasionally we do have electricity outages and when those occur, they affect our water provision services and as such you realise that water shedding schedules are affected meaning that other areas can go for more than the current schedule without water.
We also have challenges of pipe bursts, if we have a burst pipe within an area we have to shut down the whole system for the whole area until we resolve the problem.
</blockquote>
As of Friday, 17 November, Insiza was at 60.07 percent, Inyankuni 32.93 percent, Lower Ncema at 31.72 percent, Umzingwane at 4.13 percent, Upper Ncema at 22.35 percent and Mtshabezi at 74.51 percent.
The chairperson of the Future Water Supplies and Water Action committee, Clr Edwin Ndlovu said:
<blockquote>
The situation is very bad, so we need short-term, medium-term and long-term plans to solve the problem.
We have proposed as council to have another dam that can complement these other dams and there is a proposal of Glass Block Dam in Insiza which could provide about 70 percent of our water requirements as a city.
Government has expressed that it is already committed to the Lake Gwayi-Shangani project and as such cannot divert funds but we are saying we can bring in private players such as banks who are ready to do so and help construct the Glass Block Dam.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Anxious Masuka recently admitted that the Lake Gwayi-Shangani construction was behind schedule.
Speaking last Friday at the unveiling of a 20-member Bulawayo Water Technical Committee that was established by the Government to oversee the rapid improvement of water and sanitation services in Bulawayo over a 100-day period, Masuka said:
<blockquote>
Lake Gwayi-Shangani is now slightly behind schedule but we do hope to complete this project in the new year, the contracts for the pipeline have now been awarded, the contracts for the pumps for the various stations have also been awarded.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/11/18/president-mnangagwa-reverses-the-appointment-of-general-valerio-sibanda-to-zanu-pf-politburo/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo Left With Six Months' Supply Of Water

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has said the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and Dynamos Football Club should undertake the repair works at Barbourfields Stadium which was damaged by football hooligans on 10 September 2023.
The Glamour Boys were hosting Highlanders in a PSL match which was abandoned in the 38th minute when Highlanders fans threw objects on the pitch before charging at police officers and match officials.
Dynamos have been made to pay for the damage to the facility as they were the hosts on the day.
According to the latest council report seen by <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/dembare-psl-to-pay-for-bf-damage-bcc/">The Sunday News</a>, BCC pegged the costs of repairs to the damages caused at US$4 121. Reads the report:
<blockquote>
On Sunday 10 September 2023, Babourfields Stadium hosted a match pitting Highlanders Football Club and Dynamos Football Club.
However, the match was aborted just less than 40 minutes of play due to crowd trouble.
This resulted in the vandalism of the facility notably the exit gates, perimeter fence, pitch drainage, fourth match official’s bench and corner flags were stolen.
The quoted cost of repair of damages was US$ 4 121.
The Premier Soccer League and Dynamos, as the host club, had since been advised to effect the repair works as per policy.
</blockquote>
Last month, the PSL slapped Dynamos with a US$3 500 fine, of which US$500 was suspended for a season on condition the club does not commit similar offences.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Dynamos, PSL Ordered To Pay For Barbourfields Stadium Damage

The City of Bulawayo has appointed Sikhumbuzo Mangisi Ncube as the Director of Engineering Services.
In a statement released on Sunday, Town Clerk Christopher Dube said Ncube’s appointment is effective from 01 April 2023. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
The City of Bulawayo is pleased to announce the appointment of Engineer Sikhumbuzo Mangisi Ncube to the position of Director of Engineering Services with effect from the 1st of April 2023.
Eng. Ncube is a holder of an Executive Master of Business Administration Degree (2009 – 2011) and a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Degree in Civil and Water Engineering (1998-2003) from the National University of Science and Technology.
He also holds numerous professional and academic certificates from various courses and training.
He began his professional career as Student Engineer with Stewarts and Llyods – Bulawayo Office in 2002.
He then joined the Zimbabwe National Water Authority after his graduation where he worked as a Projects and Planning Engineer, and Water Supplies Engineer (2004 – 2006).
He also worked with Proplastics, a Division of Murray and Roberts as a Design and Sales Engineer and Acting Regional Sales Manager (2006-2007).
He thereafter joined World Vision Zimbabwe where he held several roles such as Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Engineer and Water and Sanitation Coordinator.
Eng Ncube joined the City of Bulawayo as a Senior Engineer – Waste Water in 2010 and also worked as a Senior Engineer – Water Distribution before his promotion to Principal Engineer – Strategic Planning (2015-2018).
He was further promoted to the position of Deputy Director of Engineering Services (Water and Sanitation) in February 2018 and has been Acting Director in the Engineering Services Department from January 2022 till his appointment.
Sikhumbuzo Ncube is a dynamic Engineer with demonstrated history and substantial experience in all aspects of civil engineering and water and sanitation project planning, implementation and management.
He has worked on a number of flagship projects including the Bulawayo Water and Sewerage Services Project (BWSSIP) funded by the African Development Bank as Coordinator and Technical Specialist, Local Coordinator with the Netherlands-funded WaterWorx project, Climate Change Expert, Nyamandlovu Aquifer construction, rehabilitation of earth dams and establishment of irrigation schemes and has represented the City in other national projects.
He has a lot of expertise in feasibility studies and proposal writing, project planning design and stakeholder participation and involvement for sustainable WASH Solutions.
He also has experience in contract management, project administration and exposure with different funding institutions.
Eng Ncube is a Corporate Member of the Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers, Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of Zimbabwe, Committee Member of the Matabeleland Chapter (ZIE) (2017-2022), Committee Member of Bridge Building and Water Network Competition for National High Schools under Matabeleland ZIE (2017-2022), Former member of the Zimbabwe Emergency Response Team (ZERT) with World Vision (2008-2009) and Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) Committee Member (2018-2019). He is also a board member of various organisations and institutions.
Sikhumbuzo is married to Eng Mercy Ncube and together they have three children.
The City of Bulawayo congratulates Eng. Sikhumbuzo Mangisi Ncube on his appointment and wishes him well in the execution of his duties.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

City Of Bulawayo Appoints New Director Of Engineering Services

The Government has authorised the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to recruit 500 healthcare workers to be deployed at the city’s 19 clinics.
The local authority has been hit by an exodus of critical health personnel and this has negatively impacted service delivery in the city.
The <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/council-gets-nod-to-recruit-500-health-workers/">Chronicle</a> reported that the City of Bulawayo requires a staff complement of 186 nursing staff to operate at full capacity and presently, there are 87 nurses.
According to the latest council minutes, some of the health personnel that the local authority intends to recruit include dentists and nurses.
Responding to questions raised during a recent full council meeting, the town clerk, Christopher Dube, said:
<blockquote>
Council will soon be recruiting dentists and other health workers to alleviate the situation as the parent ministry had authorised the recruitment of 500 staff members.
Emakhandeni and Nkulumane Clinics have been earmarked for extended dental care services to decentralise the service to other suburbs.
</blockquote>
In an interview with the Chronicle on Tuesday, Bulawayo deputy mayor Councillor Mlandu Ncube said residents were being forced to travel long distances seeking medical care. He said:
<blockquote>
We had serious concerns pertaining to the long hours spent by residents seeking health services from our clinics due to staff shortages.
We are happy that we have been given the green light to recruit 500 workers to address the problem.
Our residents were being short-changed and the situation had reached alarming levels such that some had to walk extra kilometres to nearby clinics to access healthcare.
</blockquote>
Ncube said recruitment is ongoing and they expect that by the end of April this year, the situation will have improved.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo City Council Gets Approval To Recruit 500 Health Workers

The City of Bulawayo said that it has requested ZESA to give them advance notices of at least an hour before power cuts to allow the local authority to shut down the pumps properly.
Bulawayo City Council has been spending millions of dollars purchasing and installing new water pumps at its main pumping stations to ease Bulawayo’s water problems.
This was said by acting council director of engineering services, Sikhumbuzo Ncube during a stakeholders briefing meeting on Friday.
Ncube said unscheduled power cuts were damaging water pumps. <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/bcc-engages-zesa-on-power-cuts/">The Sunday News</a> quoted Ncube as saying:
<blockquote>
The kind of pumps that we have need proper shutdown of at least an hour or so. The challenge is that there is no proper power cut schedule which then affects our pumps. 
Council has requested ZESA to give advance notices of at least an hour to enable procedural shutdown of pumps.
We have also engaged the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) and this led to the installation of a 500 Kva transformer with enough capacity to power one booster for the pumps.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is suffering a prolonged power shortage, especially after its main Kariba hydropower plant in December 2022 cut electricity generation due to low water levels.
The problem has been compounded by frequent breakdowns at Hwange Thermal Power Station, the shortage of coal to fire Harare, Bulawayo and Munyati power stations, and failure to pay for power imports from neighbouring countries.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo City Council Engages ZESA On Power Cuts

Nine (9) Bulawayo City Council (BCC) municipal police officers who allegedly fired at vendors with rubber bullets last month have been granted bail.
The <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/bcc-municipal-police-granted-bail/">Chronicle</a> reported that Ignatius Nyathi (51), Herbert Khumalo (55), Ntokozo Moyo (46), Lungton Moyo (42), Cent Moyo (49) Bekisipho Ncube (50) Lawrence Mathwasa (60 Bekezela Ncube 56, Mthabisi Moyo (30) appeared in court each facing two counts of attempted murder.
They were granted ZWL$50 000 bail each by Bulawayo regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza, who remanded them to 14 March.
As part of the bail conditions, the accused were ordered to report once a week at Bulawayo Central Police Station (homicide section).
Allegations were that on 23 February 2023, at around 7 AM, the accused persons were part of a team of municipal police who were on duty dispersing illegal vendors in Bulawayo Central Business District.
The court heard that the team was dispersing illegal vendors from an undesignated area along 5th Avenue between Lobengula Street and Jason Moyo Street.
They encountered a group of people chanting protest songs against BCC security details. Prosecutor Concilia Ncube said:
<blockquote>
The accused persons who were armed with shotguns fired 41 shots indiscriminately towards the protesting group and as a result, Concilia Ndlovu was shot in the left hand and sustained an injury and there is a lodged foreign object which is yet to be extracted.
</blockquote>
It is alleged that Ndlovu was not part of the group and was carrying out her normal business.
The second complainant Prosper Munemo was shot in the groin and sustained injuries.
The accused were released after their lawyers Messrs Herbert Chimbete and Maqhawe Mpofu of Coghlan and Welsh Legal Practitioners successfully applied for bail.
The State had opposed bail arguing that there was no guarantee that if released, the accused persons would not abscond given the gravity of the offence.
More <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo Municipal Cops Who Fired At Vendors Granted Bail

Bulawayo Town Clerk, Christopher Dube, on Wednesday suspended the city’s health services director, Dr. Edwin Sibanda, over alleged incompetence.
Sibanda is blamed for deteriorating environmental standards in the Central Business District.
Bulawayo mayor Councillor Solomon confirmed the suspension saying council will deal with the matter once it is furnished with the relevant reports. Solomon Mguni:
<blockquote>
There has been public discontent with the manner in which the Environmental Health Branch; under the City Health Department has been performing.
Garbage has been accumulating in the Central Business District and shopping centres.
In keeping with his supervisory role over Heads of Departments; the Chief Executive Officer has exercised his prerogative and instruments of power. We take note of this development.
We also respect the rights of the affected employee. Due process will kick in; once council is furnished with the relevant reports.
</blockquote>
The council’s general purposes committee is expected to receive and deliberate on the suspension on Friday after which a special council meeting can be convened to deliberate on the suspension. | <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/byo-health-services-director-suspended/">The Sunday News</a>

Bulawayo Health Services Director Suspended For Incompetence

The Bulawayo City Council on Wednesday called off its planned operation to clamp down on all illegal activities in the city amid security fears raised by various stakeholders.
Last week, the city’s town clerk, Christopher Dube gave those involved in illegal activities in the city up to Tuesday this week to cease their activities or be forcibly removed in the operation that was scheduled to commence this Wednesday.
But speaking during a consultative meeting with the business community on Wednesday, BCC Chamber Secretary, Sikhangele Zhou, said the operation was shelved pending the holding of a security sector meeting. She said:
<blockquote>
There was an expectation maybe from everyone in the city that today they would be a lot of enforcement around the city, however, there was a lot of polarisation regarding the enforcement and there were people who were preparing this and that which is why there had to be a security sector meeting this morning.
There was a general sentiment that while we plan to bring sanity, we might end up having skirmishes like looting and all sorts of activities of that nature.
As a city, we were ready to start the enforcement today but when we contacted our counterparts, the ZRP, they felt it was wise to wait for today’s meeting so the whole security sector will map a proper way forward and we enforce without putting anything in danger.
</blockquote>
Zhou said the council police have no arresting powers so they have to work with the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
Illegal activities targeted by the operation include vending on undesignated sites on the streets, pavements and roadways, washing of cars, repairing of vehicles, illegal pickup points by private vehicles, commuter omnibuses and buses, delivery of farm produce and other products onto the streets, push carts, heavy commercial vehicles into the city centre which have all resulted in serious congestion, chaos, littering as well as an increase in pickpocketing. | <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/council-blitz-shelved-amid-security-concerns/">The Sunday News</a>

Bulawayo City Council Blitz Shelved Amid Fears Of Skirmishes, Looting

The City of Bulawayo has announced its intentions to clear the streets of all informal traders, those washing cars, plying illegal pick-up and drop-off points, and push carts next week on Wednesday.
In a notice, the Town Clerk Christopher Dube gave the illegal operators until Tuesday next week to stop their activities. He said:
<blockquote>
The City of Bulawayo would like to advise all stakeholders that it will be conducting an exercise to rid the City of all unauthorized activities with effect from Wednesday, 11 January 2023.
All persons conducting unauthorized informal trading on undesignated sites in the City of Bulawayo (on the streets, pavements, roadways), washing of cars, repairing of vehicles, illegal pickup points by private vehicles, commuter omnibuses and buses, delivery of farm produce and other products onto the streets, push carts, heavy commercial vehicles into the Central Business District, illegal throwing and dumping of garbage or litter… are given up to Tuesday, 10 January 2023 to cease their illegal activities.
With effect from Wednesday, 11. January 2023, the City of Bulawayo will be conducting an exercise to eliminate ALL illegal activities so as to restore order and cleanliness.
</blockquote>
Dube said informal traders should register with the city council for them to get licences to operate from designated sites. He said:
<blockquote>
All those who are interested in trading in the authorised sites are advised to visit the City of Bulawayo Vending Offices at the former Dugmore Clinic Offices along Basch Street for registration and licensing.
The City encourages trading at designated sites in terms of Municipal by-laws.
This fosters peace, cleanliness and control of all informal trading activities through the associations which have Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the City.
</blockquote>

Bulawayo City Council Vows To Eliminate Illegal Vending Next Week

The City of Bulawayo is proposing to ban burials of children between the ages of zero to twelve years and make cremation mandatory.
Cremation is the disposal of a dead person’s body by burning it to ashes, typically after a funeral ceremony.
The mandatory cremation of children will save burial space which is increasingly becoming scarce in the country’s second-largest city, according to councillors.
During a council meeting, the Director of the Health Services Department, Dr Edwin Sibanda, said that the Bulawayo City Council had leased a plot of land at Luveve Cemetery to a private contractor who had built a crematorium.
The local authority and the contractor plan to cut cremation fees for children aged zero to twelve years to $30.
Councillor Felix Mhaka supported the cremation of zero to 12-year-old children and proposed that funerals of children between the ages of zero and 12 years should be prohibited with effect from 1 February 2023.
The councillors concurred residents should be encouraged to embrace cremation to save burial space. | <a href="https://cite.org.zw/bcc-moots-ban-on-child-burials/">CITE</a>

Bulawayo City Council Considers Banning Child Burials

The City of Bulawayo has unveiled plans to establish a new medium-density residential suburb on 156 445 hectares near Bellevue.
The proposed site has a provision of 509 stands and is located about six kilometres South-West of the Central Business District, off Plumtree Road, and is bounded by Plumtree Road, Derby Road, and Newton West suburb.
The proposed residential area has a 40 per cent reservation for flats and cluster housing stands.
This is in line with the government policy that demands that at least 40 per cent of new housing projects should be reserved for the construction of high-rise buildings to prevent urban sprawl and promote modern housing infrastructure.
According to the latest council monthly report tabled before a full council on Wednesday, the Town Planning Director, Wisdom Siziba, said the proposed 509 residential stands measure 25 metres by 40 metres, covering an average area of 1000m2 in extent. Said Siziba:
<blockquote>
The proposed residential development plan will go a long way in eradicating the housing shortages in the city. Cities must create human settlements where people will live, work and play and all these were incorporated in the layout.
The major goal when coming up with this layout was to fulfill the sustainability mandate of creating human settlements that are safe, inclusive, and livable.
</blockquote>
Bulawayo currently has a housing waiting list of close to 200 000. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/509-stands-for-new-bulawayo-medium-density-suburb/">Chronicle</a>

Bulawayo Plans To Establish New Medium-Density Suburb Near Bellevue

The Bulawayo City Council planning a clampdown on open-air churches across the city in response to complaints by residents of noise pollution.
Speaking at a full council meeting last week, Bulawayo deputy mayor Mlandu Ncube said:
<blockquote>
The city is now dominated by flags of different churches. They are spreading cholera because they are using the bush as ablution facilities. I am saying let’s remove these churches from the city.
</blockquote>
Ward 4 Councillor Silas Chigora said the problem should be dealt with once and for all. Chigora said:
<blockquote>
We are shocked whether it’s worshipping or money-spinning activities, let’s write to these churches to say they should vacate those sites.
Let us (also) engage someone like a debt collector who will go around removing these people because I am tired of the complaints of these churches.
My community respects the environment, they respect trees, they respect rocks, they respect hills and mountains.
Let’s engage someone to round up these churches just like we did in George Silundika, let’s do that and deal with this problem once and for all.
</blockquote>
Ward 27 councillor Alderman Siboniso Khumalo said the churches should apply for stands to construct places of worship.
Recently, Churches Council of Africa (CCA) founder and president Rocky Moyo said local authorities were demanding large amounts of money. | <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/council-plots-crackdown-on-open-air-churches/">Business Times</a>

Bulawayo Council Plans Crackdown On Open Air Churches

The City of Bulawayo has resolved to abandon its cremator which has been stuck in Durban, South Africa for many years, and buy another one.
The cremator was bought by Masen Engineering (PVT LTD) on behalf of the local authority after the company won a contract to supply, install and commission a cremator for the West Park Crematorium.
The total tender price then was US$121 400 with the local authority paying Masen US$97 120 which was 80 percent of the tendered price as advance payment.
The company later reportedly imported the cremator from Japan but failed to pay duty during the duration of the contract, which was four months.
In 2016, the South Africa Revenue Services (SARS) impounded the cremator while in transit to Zimbabwe, and efforts to get it released have failed.
According to the latest City of Bulawayo confidential report, SARS lawyers recently wrote to the local authority demanding that it pays up before October 6, 2022, or get the cremator deposited.
The report further says the cremator in question had accrued storage costs of up to R1 190 763. Part of the report reads:
<blockquote>
Management was approached by the contractor (Masen Engineering) and he advised that it was not such a wise decision to pay that amount to SARS in order to facilitate the release of the cremator which was now obsolete.
His advice was that a new cremator could cost council close to a million Rand and the storage money could be used to buy a new cremator.
He further advised that in his opinion council should just abandon that cremator because of the costs and the fact that some of the components of the cremator which were in the container were no longer usable.
</blockquote>
After the meeting, the local authority resolved “That council abandon the cremator to avoid paying further charges but instead a court application for the recovery of the US$97 120 deposit which was paid to Masen Engineering Pvt Ltd.”
Bulawayo City Council is encouraging its residents to consider cremation as a substitute for conventional burial in a bid to limit the fast reduction of burial space in the city.
Currently, the local authority has only one cremator situated at West Park cemetery. | <a href="https://cite.org.zw/bcc-abandons-cremator-stuck-in-sa/">CITE</a>

Bulawayo City Council Abandons Cremator Stuck In South Africa

The City of Bulawayo says it will channel US$5 523 920 towards upgrading its three stadiums so that they meet international standards.
This was revealed by Bulawayo City Council (BCC) chairperson of the finance committee Tawanda Ruzive while presenting the US$157 99 million 2023 proposed revenue budget. He said:
<blockquote>
A total of US$5 523 920 has been set aside to spruce up the three stadia. This is a work in progress towards meeting the international standards that will enable the city to enjoy international games.
These facilities benefit the communities and offer places of association, entertainment, and relaxation after hours and on weekends.
</blockquote>
BCC owns three major stadiums namely Barbourfields, White City and Luveve.
It also runs numerous football pitches, tennis courts and basketball grounds located in the wards.
The local authority also proposed to set aside US$106 million to fund key infrastructure projects that include the construction of classroom blocks, clinics, servicing of residential stands and construction of roads.
US$903 300 will be availed for the youths, for the provision of vocational training in farming, metal work, bricklaying, cookery, catering, motor mechanics, metalwork, dressmaking and fine arts.
The budget is, however, subject to approval by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. | <a href="https://newziana.co.zw/2022/11/02/bulawayo-to-spend-over-us5-million-to-spruce-up-stadiums/">New Ziana</a>

Bulawayo Council To Spend Over US$5 Million To Upgrade Stadiums

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has temporarily suspended the current 72-hour water-shedding programme in the Tuli Reservoir zone following a major pipeline burst.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, 26 October 2022, the City of Bulawayo’s acting Town Clerk Sikhangele Zhou said several suburbs will be affected. She said:
<blockquote>
The City of Bulawayo would like to advise members of the public of water supply interruptions to all areas fed by the Tuli Reservoir.
This is due to a burst that occurred on the clear water line supplying the Tuli reservoir between Ncema and Fernhill Pump Stations.
The following areas are likely to be affected: Lochview, Sunninghill, Marlands, Glencoe, Riverside, Waterford, Manningdale, Willsgrove, Buenavista, Douglasdale, Fortunes gate, Selborne Park, Matsheumhlope Esigodini, Imbizo Barracks, Parklands, Khumalo, Queens Park, Suburbs, Mahatshula, Woodville, Kingsdale, Killarney.
The City of Bulawayo will temporarily suspend the current 72-hour water-shedding programme in the Tuli Reservoir zone until the burst pipe is repaired.
Residents are advised that supplies will be restored once the repair works have been completed and pumping has resumed and the Tuli reservoir has been raised to acceptable levels.
Residents are requested to conserve water and keep taps turned off in the event that the work is completed sooner.
</blockquote>

Bulawayo Council Suspends Water Rationing For Several Suburbs

Residents of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, face a water crisis after the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) cut off electricity at the city’s water pumps for emergency maintenance of electricity infrastructure.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 19 October 2022, the City of Bulawayo’s acting Town Clerk Sikhangele Zhou advised residents that the current 72-hour shedding programme will be suspended as water supplies will be cut off to all areas until the power utility restores electricity. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
<h2>NOTICE OF POSSIBLE WATER SUPPLIES INTERRUPTION AND TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF 72-HOUR SHEDDING DUE TO THE ZETDC SHUTDOWN AT ESIGODINI.</h2>
The public is hereby informed of water supply interruptions to all suburbs as a result of an emergency maintenance shutdown by Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) at Inyankuni in Esigodini on Wednesday, 19 October 2022 from 07:00hrs to 18:00hrs.
This will have an impact on raw water pumping volumes at both Ncema Treatment Works and Fernhill Booster Station, and consequently, affect production at Criterion Water Works. 
The shutdown will result in minimal pumping or treatment at all three of the above-mentioned stations, depleting the City’s Supply and Distribution reservoirs.
To prevent the water system from collapsing, the City of Bulawayo will temporarily suspend the current 72-hour shedding programme and cut off supply to all areas until the ZETDC shutdown is completed and power is restored at all three plants, allowing water treatment and pumping to resume.
Residents are advised that supplies will be restored once treatment and pumping have resumed and the city reservoirs have been raised to acceptable levels. 
Meanwhile, residents are advised to conserve water and keep taps turned off in the event that the work is completed sooner.
The City of Bulawayo wishes to apologise to its valued consumers for the inconvenience likely to be caused.
</blockquote>

ZESA Shutdown Triggers Water Cuts In Bulawayo

The City of Bulawayo has approached the Joint Operation Command (JOC) for assistance to remove ZANU PF activists who have illegally converted one of the city’s streets into a vegetable market.
JOC is a security arm comprising officers drawn from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS).
The City of Bulawayo has accused ZANU PF youths and their leaders of taking over 5th Street in the central business district and parcelling it into vending bays for vendors.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the city’s “Big Spring Cleaning Week” launch Monday, Bulawayo Mayor, Solomon Mguni, said:
<blockquote>
They (vendors) were settled here by politicians from the ruling party (ZANU PF) and we have tried to engage both the party and state security apparatus to try and remove them from this road.
… We have held various meetings with JOC and the vendors’ leaders so as to find an amicable solution.
The engagements are continuing and ultimately it is the JOC which should ensure that these people are removed.
</blockquote>
The ZANU PF-linked “vending space barons” are prejudicing the local authority of millions of potential revenue by taking bribes from the displaced informal traders. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/council-ropes-in-army-to-swoop-on-defiant-zanu-pf-aligned-street-vendors/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

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