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Residents' Voices - Issue 45
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA)
February 25, 2011

Residents bemoan ZESA

Nkulumane 12 residents have bemoaned ZESA for wantonly disconnecting electricity supplies. Residents have said that the power utility should not disconnect electricity supply without issuing a notice to residents. They have also said that they are already faced with exorbitant bills and huge debts and cannot afford to pay the reconnection fees and other such monies that are necessary for reconnections. Residents have, in the past said that ZESA's billing system is flawed and not in accordance with residents' salaries. Ward 20 residents say they have been left in a difficult position as they are in no position to pay their bills ad clear their debts. This comes at a time when BPRA is in the process of taking legal action against ZESA for its misconduct and poor service delivery. The association will also host the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Elton Mangoma, to a meeting where residents will engage the minister in a bid to express their displeasure with the power utility.

Residents request clarity over BEAM beneficiaries

Njube residents have requested clarity over the selection of BEAM beneficiaries in the local schools amid allegations of corruption in the selection process. In a training workshop that has held by BPRA in ward 12, participants said that the selection of BEAM beneficiaries is improper because the list comprises of undeserving children. Initially, it had been communicated in the ward that a committee of residents from ward 12 would be set up that would be tasked with identifying children most in need of assistance such as orphans and other vulnerable children. The residents alleged that the existing committee was not set unanimously. They accused the committee of corruptly adding undeserving children to the list of beneficiaries at the expense of those from disadvantaged families.

The environment . . . an issue of concern

Bulawayo residents have said that sprouting unregistered churches worshipping in the bush could to be harmful to the environment. These churches have led to an increase in deforestation, pollution and soil erosion. The degradation of natural resources has a dire effect on residents who need fire wood at a time when electricity load shedding intensifies. Residents are pleading with the city council to take stern measures against these churches. Residents also request to know the criteria of establishing a church, the necessary documents for registration and the benefits of those residing in the surrounding areas. It has been said that these churches should pay revenue so that they give back to the community and be in position to maintain the environment.

Revamp industries in Bulawayo

Bulawayo residents are calling for the resuscitation of Bulawayo's industrial sector. This comes at a time when a number of companies have relocated to Harare for reasons that residents and civil society organisations in the city have described as flimsy and hollow. Spokespersons of the companies that have moved to Harare have argued that doing business in Bulawayo is risky as there are water shortages and business is very slow. Residents have rubbished these assertions as lacking relevance pointing out that the fact that Delta Beverages has commissioned a new plant in Bulawayo shows that businesses can operate viably in the city. The dearth of industry in Bulawayo has rendered thousands jobless.

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