City of Kadoma Cracks Down on Sewer Blockages and Manhole Vandalism, Appeals for Law Enforcement Support

 

 

By Admire Chitsungo

 

Kadoma City Council has intensified efforts to restore sanitation services in Rimuka, rolling out a coordinated programme to unblock sewer lines, disinfect affected areas and replace stolen manhole lids that have become a growing safety concern for residents.

 

Council teams have been working around the clock clearing clogged sewer systems and sealing open manholes, which officials say are increasingly being left exposed after vandals remove metal lids for scrap sales. The open shafts not only pose serious risks to pedestrians and motorists but have also become dumping points for foreign objects that worsen sewer blockages.

 

City Engineer Blessing Musasira urged residents to play their part in protecting the infrastructure.

 

“We appeal to the general public to desist from throwing foreign materials into the sewer system or using substances that block pipelines. These practices cause repeated blockages and increase maintenance costs for Council,” he said. “Open or damaged manholes also create health hazards and slow down our efforts to maintain a clean environment.”

 

The Council confirmed that all affected sites are being disinfected to prevent possible disease outbreaks, particularly in densely populated suburbs. Residents were also reminded that payments for private sewer blockages must be made at Council revenue offices, while no charges are levied for mainline blockages.

 

Communication Manager Walter Ndlovu called for stronger collaboration with law enforcement agencies to curb vandalism.

 

“We are appealing to law enforcement agents to help us bring perpetrators to book. The theft of manhole lids is not just vandalism ,it endangers lives and diverts resources that could otherwise improve service delivery,” Ndlovu said. “Every lid we replace is money that could have gone toward upgrading our sewer infrastructure.”

 

Residents from some of the most affected streets, including Zengwe Street and Mangwanya Street, welcomed the clean-up and repair exercise, saying it had brought relief after months of persistent sewer overflows and foul smells.

 

“We have lived with blocked drains and exposed manholes for too long. Children and elderly people were at risk,” said one Zengwe resident. “We are happy Council is finally restoring sanity in our area.”

 

Others praised the disinfection drive, noting that it would help curb diseases often associated with poor sanitation.

 

The clean-up and repair campaign has focused heavily on Rimuka, one of the areas most affected by recurring blockages, as the municipality moves to safeguard public health and enhance sanitation standards.

 

Despite the challenges, officials say they remain committed to improving service delivery through continued maintenance and community awareness initiatives, with residents now hopeful that the renewed efforts will lead to lasting improvements.