Blessing Nduku
Gweru’s iconic Boggie Tower, once a proud symbol of the city’s heritage, has shockingly been reduced to an open toilet by night vendors operating at the intersection of E.D Mnangagwa Street and Robert Mugabe Way.
The structure is now surrounded by a pungent odor and stained walls, which have become a health hazard as vendors relieve themselves within and around the monument, raising serious concerns about public hygiene and the neglect of civic infrastructure.
Speaking during the 719th full Council meeting, Councilor Mujere Proportional Representative (PR) pleaded with the engineering department to close all areas that people are using to gain access to the tower.
“I am pleading with the engineering department to find a way to close all the open areas on our iconic tower. Night vendors are using it as a toilet, which is leading to a health hazard.”
“A strong odor engulfs the atmosphere as one passes by this emblem that is now easily accessible to vendors who defecate inside. Part of the paint work is now fading due to the amount of urine that runs down its walls as men relieve themselves before rushing back to selling their fruits, vegetables, foodstuffs and various goods.”
The vendors’ actions are a health hazard as they do not wash their hands after engaging in such unhygienic acts.
As health concerns mount, residents and stakeholders are calling for urgent intervention, including the provision of proper sanitation facilities, increased enforcement, and the relocation of vendors to protect both public health and the dignity of Gweru’s treasured landmark.
The Mythical Gweru Boogie Tower
At the intersection of Main Street and Robert Mugabe Way in Gweru is a 60 feet tall green Tower Clock which has come to represent Gweru.
The Gweru Boogie Tower Click was constructed in 1937 to honor the legacy of Major William James Boogie.
The Major, was once the MP for the Midlands area in the Rhodesian Parliament.
Boogie is best remembered for having put forward the original Bill for the establishment of the Hwange Game Reserve.
The use of the Clock Tower as a target by cadet pilots from the Moffat School of Bombing and Gunnery was the matchstick that led to the bonfire: “Jeannie versus the Army Round Two”.
The army academy was located at the site of the present day Bata Shoe Company.
However, today the clock in the tower is no longer functioning.
The reason were complaints by residents at the nearby Midlands Hotel, formerly known as Horseshoe Hotel.
They complained that the clock, which loudly rung eleven times at 2300hrs and twelve times at midnight, was disturbing their peace.
Gweru Council then silenced the clock.
After independence authorities felt that the Tower Clock and its prescription about Boogie were offensive to the newly liberated country.
They were suggestions that it be teared down while others felt it should be retained for historical purposes it was agreed that the Tower be kept but the inscription be changed.
Words relating to the colonial past were then replaced.
At one time traffic accidents because numerous at the place again leading to calls for the removal of the tower.
They were also reports that rituals were being performed at the place. However, the tower has withstood the test of time and today remains, an emblematic representation of the Midlands town. Source The Sun/Online
