3 years on, Chilenje Township residents dwell in LWSC neglect

By Ashton Kelly Bunda

Esther Tembo Mwase complaining on three year failure by Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company to unblock a clogged manhole in Chilenje Township near Chilenje Police Station in Zambia's Capital City -Lusaka on Monday 6th April 2026. - Picture by Ashton Kelly Bunda/ Kwilanzi Newspaper Zambia (KNZ) — Esther Tembo Mwase complaining on three year failure by Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company to unblock a clogged manhole in Chilenje Township near Chilenje Police Station in Zambia’s Capital City -Lusaka on Monday 6th April 2026. – Picture by Ashton Kelly Bunda/ Kwilanzi Newspaper Zambia (KNZ).

Esther Tembo Mwase, a Chilenje South resident laments that Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company (LWSC) and junior staff at the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation (MWDS) have in the last three (3) years failed to unblock a sewer manhole.
Mrs. Mwase who lives at house number 21 Mpasa road near Chilenje Police Station in Lusaka cries foul that her house and that of a next door neighbor – house number 20 have endured a life threatening overflow of visible faecal matter for three (3) years.
Currently residing with four (4) grand children; a 2, 4, 5 and 7-year-old, Mrs. Mwase, confirmed lodging a complaint to Lusaka Water Sewerage Company several times whose lamentation has apparently fallen on a deaf ear.

Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (MWDS) Eng. Collins Nzovu (left) with Zambia National Service (ZNS) Commander Lieutenant General Maliti Solochi (right) at the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road Campus

Mrs. Mwase recollected receiving LWSC contact numbers just for formalities sake with no solution coming forth.
The emotional grandmother said LWSC always has a ready made scape goat that the problem started somewhere away from their homes and the two houses turn out to be breathing points for the main sewer line.

**Blocked manholes in Chilenje Township near Chilenje Police Station in Lusaka Zambia’s Capital City. – Monday 6th April 2026. – Picture by Ashton Kelly Bunda**

“I think the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation has equally failed us, this is not rocket science that has a lot of money and expertise can be invested to resolve our unhealthy environment,” Mrs. Mwase prayed.

Mrs. Mwase told this author that families and community beyond the two affected houses survive by the ‘Grace of God‘, as Cholera and Typhoid – two very contagious diseases to children and adults are yet to manifest.

Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (MWDS) Eng. Collins Nzovu (centre with folded arms) with Zambia National Service (ZNS) staff and LWSC MD Engineer Jilly Chiyombwe (third right) at the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road Campus

“The bureaucracy (red tape) continued in modern times. I will take the matter to the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Engineer Collins Nzovu, since his juniors have failed us in the last three years. I believe as a supervisor, Eng. Nzovu will compel LWSC Managing Director Eng. Jilly Chiyombwe through National Water and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) Director General Eng. Kelvin Chitumbo to resolve our plight said a worried Mrs. Mwase.

**President Hakainde Sammy Hichilema (left) with Vice President Reverend Dr Witner Kapembwa Mutale-Namulango,(right).**

Perhaps as was the case at the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road Campus in Lusaka, authorities are waiting for President Hakainde Hichilema to instruct Zambia National Service (ZNS) Commander, Lieutenant General (Lt. Gen.) Maliti Solochi to intervene.