Residents of Ward 31 in Glen View have lashed out at the Harare City Council after it ordered the removal of a community solar-powered borehole within 48 hours to make way for four infill residential stands, a decision that has been widely condemned as corrupt and insensitive.
The borehole, which serves around 2,800 residents, has been the community’s main source of clean water amid chronic supply shortages.
Locals accused council officials of prioritising private gain over public health and warned that dismantling the facility would worsen water scarcity and expose families to waterborne diseases.
“This is corruption, plain and simple. The City Council never gives us running water, yet they want to destroy the only clean and reliable source we have. We know what this is about someone powerful wants those stands,” said Ms. Rudo Mupfigo, a mother of three who lives near the borehole.
Another resident, Mr. Shelton Mudzonga, said the council’s move was a betrayal of public trust.
“They are supposed to be serving the people, not punishing us. Every time there is progress in the community, council finds a way to destroy it. We can’t keep suffering because of greedy officials,” he said.
Residents revealed that the borehole was established through community and donor support to ease the effects of persistent water shortages that have plagued Glen View for years.
They accused the council of making the decision secretly, without consulting the local community or assessing the humanitarian implications.
“This borehole is our only lifeline. If they remove it, children will start drinking from shallow wells and drains again. It’s a death trap,” said another community member, who asked not to be named.
Contacted for comment by this publication, Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume confirmed the development, saying the City Council will engage the affected community before taking further steps.
“Council is going to sit down with the community and come up with a solution. If it means allocating the owners of the residential stands another area so that the community is not affected, we will consider that,” said Mafume
Despite the Mayor’s assurances, residents remain doubtful. The incident has reignited public anger over alleged corruption and poor governance within the opposition led Council, with many saying the local authority continues to sacrifice essential community services for private interests.
some is sleeping on duty, cholera kills this should not be allowed.
Please Mayor Mafume address this issue in a way yekuti people won’t be affected, most people rely on that borehole, do not disappoint the community, Also, another issue is that of burst sewage pipes in Area 8, its almost a month nothing has been done, also issue of roads, Glenview way needs attention, zvanyanya