Hwange Battles Service Delivery Disruptions _By The Southern Eye_ Hwange Municipality is grappling with severe service delivery disruptions, leaving residents facing challenges with essential amenities. Water supply has become erratic, with some areas going for days without running water. Residents have resorted to fetching water from unprotected sources, raising concerns about waterborne diseases. Electricity outages are also commonplace, disrupting businesses and households. The municipality attributes the power cuts to faults in the distribution network and shortage of transformers. Sewage overflows have become a nuisance, posing a health hazard to residents. The municipality’s sewage treatment plant is struggling to cope with the increasing population and inadequate infrastructure. Garbage collection services have also been affected, leading to unsightly piles of trash accumulating in streets and public areas. “We are living in unacceptable conditions,” said a resident who identified herself as Mrs. Ndlovu. “We have no water, no electricity, and the streets are filthy. The municipality needs to do something urgently.” The municipality’s spokesperson, Ronald Moyo, acknowledged the service delivery challenges. He attributed them to financial constraints and infrastructure decay. “We are aware of the residents’ concerns and are working on addressing them,” Moyo said. “However, we are facing a huge financial deficit and our infrastructure is old and dilapidated.” Council has appealed to residents to be patient and cooperate with the municipality’s efforts to improve service delivery. “We understand the frustrations of the residents,” Moyo added. “We urge them to work with us and report any service delivery disruptions so that we can respond promptly.” Meanwhile, opposition parties have accused the ruling ZANU-PF of neglecting Hwange, which has traditionally been a stronghold of the party. “The municipality is a reflection of the government’s failure,” said a local opposition leader, Jealous Sansole. “Hwange is being punished because its people voted for the opposition in the last election.” The residents of Hwange are demanding immediate action from the municipality and government to address the service delivery crisis. They have threatened to stage protests if the situation does not improve.Hwange, a coal mining town, faces a shortage of essential plant machinery, which hampers road works and other services. Ndabezinhle Twala, director of engineering services for the Hwange Local Board, acknowledges that while they have the potential to improve service delivery, they lack the necessary equipment.Hwange, a coal mining town, faces a shortage of essential plant machinery, which hampers road works and other services. Ndabezinhle Twala, director of engineering services for the Hwange Local Board, acknowledges that while they have the potential to improve service delivery, they lack the necessary equipment. The council struggles to maintain and develop infrastructure due to the absence of machinery for sewer and water reticulation, as well as road construction and maintenance. Essential equipment, including a JCB excavator, grader, water bowser, and road roller, is needed to address the town’s infrastructure challenges. The lack of machinery has resulted in dysfunctional settlements, such as Empumalanga Phase 4. The council is forced to hire equipment, which is a costly alternative. To address the situation, the council allocated funds in its 2024 budget for purchasing plant and machinery, with the expectation of utilizing the devolution fund for procurement.Hwange residents are facing disruptions in service delivery, including water shortages, power outages, and poor waste management. The water crisis has been attributed to the depletion of the main water source, the Deka Pumping Station, which supplies 70% of the town’s water. The station is currently operating at a reduced capacity due to low water levels in the Zambezi River. The town council has implemented water rationing measures, with residents receiving water for only a few hours per day. This has caused long queues at boreholes and water points, as residents struggle to access clean water. Power outages have also become frequent, with some areas experiencing daily blackouts. The outages have disrupted businesses, schools, and hospitals, causing inconvenience and financial losses. The power cuts are attributed to faults on transmission lines and sabotage. The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) is working to repair the faults and improve the power supply. Waste management has also become a challenge in Hwange. The town council is struggling to collect garbage regularly, resulting in piles of uncollected waste accumulating on the streets. The poor waste management is posing a health hazard, as the waste attracts flies and other disease-carrying insects. Residents have expressed concern about the potential outbreak of diseases such as typhoid and cholera. The Mayor of Hwange, Nkosilathi Jiyane, has acknowledged the service delivery challenges and has appealed to residents for patience and understanding. He assured residents that the council is working to address the issues and improve service delivery. The council has engaged with the government and other stakeholders to seek solutions to the water crisis. They are exploring alternative water sources, such as drilling boreholes and constructing a new water treatment plant. The council is also working with ZETDC to improve the power supply. They are replacing faulty transformers and upgrading transmission lines. With regards to waste management, the council is encouraging residents to reduce waste generation and practice proper waste disposal. They are also exploring waste recycling and composting initiatives to reduce the amount of waste that goes to the landfill.