A total of 56 metres of new Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) pipes have been laid on the Seke Outfall since the rehabilitation project resumed, marking steady progress in Council’s efforts to replace ageing concrete sewer infrastructure with modern, durable pipework designed to withstand the demands of the growing urban network.

The project involves laying 600mm and 450mm diameter GRP pipes along a route stretching from Unit M towards Unit O. Work is currently concentrated near Jambanja Market in Unit M, where the rehabilitation team is contending with a challenging wetland section that has required careful engineering intervention to keep the project moving forward.

To assess progress firsthand, the Mayor, Councillor Rosaria Mangoma, together with Acting Town Clerk Mr Japson Nemuseso, toured the site yesterday alongside members of the Audit Committee and the Public Works Committee. The Audit Committee is chaired by Alderman Musa Makweza, while the Public Works Committee is chaired by Councillor Chamu Madya. The visiting delegation observed the rehabilitation process and engaged directly with the engineering team overseeing the works.

Speaking during the site visit, Council Civil Engineer Christopher Ncube explained that difficult ground conditions have slowed the pace of construction, particularly in the wetland area. He said the team has managed to divert water away from the wetland to allow bedding to be prepared for the next section of pipe, while also laying the foundation for a drop manhole. This structure will be critical in matching pipe levels between the upstream section and the inlet, ensuring the system functions correctly once complete.

“We are targeting mid-September to reach Unit O. Thereafter, we will rehabilitate the collector lines serving Units C, M, P and O,” Ncube said, outlining the next phase of works once the main outfall pipeline reaches its target point.

The Seke Outfall Rehabilitation Project is being funded through Council’s own resources, with the GRP pipes themselves donated under the African Development Bank (AfDB) Zim Fund, a partnership that has significantly boosted the scope of work Council has been able to undertake. Excavation is being carried out using the Municipality’s 37.5-tonne excavator, procured in 2025 specifically to strengthen Council’s in-house capacity to deliver major infrastructure rehabilitation projects without relying solely on contracted equipment.

Elsewhere, the related Zengeza Outfall Rehabilitation Project, which is already 68% complete, remains on hold pending the disbursement of Devolution Funds needed to resume works. That project was awarded to Infradevcor and is being implemented under the Devolution Fund framework. Once finished, it is expected to bring significant relief to more than 23,000 households by improving sewer conveyance and substantially reducing sewer bursts in the affected areas, addressing a long-standing infrastructure challenge for residents.

Together, the two outfall projects form a key part of Council’s broader push to modernise ageing sewer infrastructure and improve service delivery across the municipality.