17th April 2025 Ndumiso Tshuma CITE
Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart has moved to dispel claims that the city’s ongoing water shortages are a result of the proposed establishment of a new water utility by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC).
In an interview with CITE, Coltart said the current crisis stems from long-standing infrastructure challenges and is unrelated to the utility proposal.
“It is important to clarify that water has not been unavailable because of the proposal to establish a water utility,” said Coltart. “The utility has not yet been set up, and the water shortages have nothing to do with it. In fact, the crisis itself shows why we need such a utility.”
He added that water restoration efforts are underway, with repair work on key infrastructure, including pumps, currently in progress.
Despite the mayor’s reassurances, some residents remain unconvinced and have voiced growing frustration over the city’s handling of the crisis.
Melusi Mpofu from Emakhandeni criticised the focus on long-term planning, saying residents are desperate for action now.
“Instead of having ongoing conversations about a new water utility, the BCC should focus on fixing the current crisis. Every day is a struggle to find water, we deserve better,” said Mpofu.
Ezra Chikwava, a resident of Parklands, questioned why the city council isn’t implementing short-term solutions while the broader discussions continue.
“How long are we going to keep attending meetings discussing the same issue while residents still don’t have water? There are immediate actions the council could take. Residents are suffering,” said Chikwava.
Themebelihle Sibanda from Cowdray Park called for inclusive decision-making.
“We have ideas and suggestions that could make a difference. Access to clean water is a basic human right, and our voices must be part of the conversation. The council must listen to residents and prioritise our wellbeing,” she said.
In a statement released on Thursday, the City of Bulawayo announced that it had resumed pumping following the repair of the damaged water pumps.
This development saw treatment capacity at Criterion Water Works rise from 45 to between 90 and 100 megalitres per day (ML/day), returning to 100% operational capacity. The city reported that this has led to improved reservoir levels and a gradual stabilisation of supply across most areas, in line with the ongoing 130-hour water shedding schedule.
The council also noted that measures are being taken to establish a reliable fallback pumping system, and maintenance work is underway on one of the city’s transformers.