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Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
RESIDENTIAL flats in Bulawayo’s Mpopoma suburb are under threat of collapse due to vibrations caused by blasts at a nearby quarry.

Davis Granite, the largest supplier of granite aggregates in Zimbabwe, carries out its operations along Khami Road, a few kilometres from Mpopoma suburb and residents say whenever there is a blast at the quarry, their homes shake.

They said the continued blasts at Davis Granite are now a threat to their lives as they were living in fear of the possibility of their homes collapsing.

Some residents yesterday showed The Chronicle widening cracks on the walls of their residential flats which they blamed on Davis Granite operations.

“The walls of our homes have been cracking due to blasts at Davis Granite. Whenever there is an explosion, we feel vibrations in our homes. The vibrations are very strong,” said Mrs Martha Mhlanga, a resident.

Mrs Mhlanga said they have informed the area councillor about their concerns.

Another resident, Mr Innocent Chapungu, said their engagement with their councillor has not yielded any positive result.

“Most of our flats may collapse. This puts our lives at risk. We want Davis Granite to stop blasting because our homes can be destroyed and they might not even compensate us,” said Mr Chapungu.

Area councillor Mr Charles Moyo confirmed receiving complaints from the residents.

He said his office had engaged Davis Granite with evidence presented by residents.

“Some of the residents can show you the widening cracks on their walls. They can tell you the actual time the explosion went off. We’ve communicated with Davis Granite about the matter. The information we get about the times of explosions by residents corresponds with details from the company on the times they would have blasted,” he said.

Clr Moyo said Davis Granite officials had agreed to provide materials to rehabilitate the affected homes, but up to now they have not yet done so.

Davis Granite officials could not be reached for comment yesterday as the company was closed for business.

This is not the first time the company has angered residents.

Entumbane residents have also raised concerns over the company’s failure to erect a security wall to deter people from accessing what has become known by locals as the “Enkwalini pool of death” — so named due to the high incidents of suicides.

Enkwalini is a disused former Davis Granite quarry which has collected water.— @nqotshili.