By Richard Mukwenya
Masvingo City Ward 5 residents have called on the local authority to crack down on home owners who did not leave sufficient openings on their perimeter walls, leading to flooded yards and simmering tensions among neighbors.
The issue has been made worse during the recent prolonged rainfall with residents saying others poorly design walls directing runoff into their yards.
Speaking during a feedback meeting organised by TellZim News on February 26, at Ward 5 Building Brigade Hall, one of the residents said inconsistencies in perimeter wall openings were disadvantaging those trapped between as it often caused flooding in residential areas.
“Some of us are living with neighbors who disadvantage us when it comes coexisting with each other. Some of us are divided by next door perimeter walls and during this raining period some have created openings on the corner of their walls to control the flow of water which then comes to our premises.
“Some do not leave the openings on their walls and leads to clogging in our yards as water is trapped and we cannot create openings on one’s perimeter wall,” said one resident.
Responding to the matter, ward 5 councilor Daniel Mberikunashe said residents must consult council to get points to make opening to allow movement of water and report residents who have not created such openings.
“As the law states, no one is allowed to block water movements on their premise, water should be allowed to flow freely. When one is constructing a dividing wall on their land, they should consult council to get assistance on points to create openings to allow water movement out of their premises.
“If one does not create these opening on their walls report immediately to council and they will legally take action to create openings, this is an advertised and approved law to follow,” said Councilor Mberikunashe.
Residents also pleaded with council to collect refuse on time due to the growing trend of theft of bin liners in their ward.
Residents said theft of bin liners was anti-progressive as it polluted the environment giving health club members responsible for cleaning the environment a double job.
