This call comes after private developers establishment a private college in the suburb. Residents have complained that Pumula South needs a council or government school that will charge fees that the residents can afford instead of a private school that will charge exorbitant fees. The residents revealed that there are already two private colleges for secondary and high school students in the area yet there is no government secondary or high school. They said this was problematic because most families cannot afford the fees charged by private colleges. High school going children are therefore forced to walk long distances to access government and council schools that are in other townships as most parents and guardians say that they cannot afford daily commuter fares for the children. Residents also bemoaned the fact the private schools are located within close proximity of each other thus forcing a majority of children to walk long distances to access the college.
Residents demand better housing projects
Bulawayo residents have blasted the city council for failing to come up with viable housing projects that will enable Bulawayo residents to buy houses. They said the current housing backlog is testimony of the city councils failure to address the housing problem. Most residents are forced to settle for squalid living conditions because the city council is failing to come up with housing schemes that will enable those in the lower or middle classes of society to own their own homes. Houses is high density suburbs like Cowdray Park and Emganwini are rented out at unreasonably inflated rentals because those owning multiple houses are taking advantage of the situation that has driven many to a point of desperation. While the population has grown significantly in the last couple of years, very little has been done towards ensuring that people can own homes. Residents further urged the city council to eradicate the corruption associated with acquiring of stands as it was making owning homes a preserve for the rich.
Residents call for accountability in local governance
RESIDENTS in Bulawayo have called for Members of Parliament in the city and the country at large to be called to account for the money they received under the Constitutional Development Fund. This comes as Bulawayo residents allege that Members of Parliament did not consult with them after receiving the money hence residents do not know how it was spent. Across Bulawayo, residents have raised concerns that their Members of Parliament, Senators and Councillors are invisible during their terms of office, but suddenly reappear when campaigning for the next elections begin. This has raised concerns that most politicians in the city enter political offices for self aggrandisement rather than to advance the interests of the residents. In light of this, BPRA is calling for the increased scrutiny of Members of Parliament, Senators and Councillors to help entrench a culture of transparency and democracy not only in Bulawayo but in Zimbabwe as a whole.
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