Zimbabwean Bulawayo mayor, Solomon Mguni, has expressed  displeasure over the proposed demolition of two iconic decommissioned cooling towers at the council-owned thermal power station. The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) proposed to demolish the towers arguing that they have outlived their design.

The power station was built in 1947 by the council before being handed over to Zesa Holdings. Residents have also expressed anger over the decision arguing that the city’s famous nickname, KoNtuthuziyathunqa (The Place with Smoke that Bellows) comes from these towers.

Speaking to the Daily News, Mguni said the move by Zesa Holdings was against government’s reform agenda. Mguni said:

“Respect for fundamental property rights is a precursor to the success of Zimbabwe government’s Vision 2030. Unfortunately, the move by Zesa’s subsidiary, ZPC, to demolish two cooling towers at the BCC-owned Bulawayo Municipal Power station is inconsistent with the government reform and re-engagement agenda.

“How on earth does a tenant destroy and alter a landlord’s property without the express consent and authority of the owner, worse still, when there is an ownership legal dispute which is before the superior courts of the land.”

Meanwhile, ZESA spokesperson Fullard Gwasira this week said a feasibility study has revealed that the towers have outlived their design life. Gwasira insisted that ZESA plans to demolish two of the six cooling towers and build one bigger one in their place. This is premised at upgrading power generation from the current 18 megawatts to 90 MW.

Bulawayo is Zimbabwe's second largest city. Its location was selected by the last Matebele king, King Lobengula. Bulawayo used to be one of the country's most attractive cities and a major transport hub for Southern Africa until Zimbabwe entered a period of economic depression in