Staff Reporter
Citizens have expressed a growing frustration over increasing heaps of uncollected garbage in various Wards in Harare, laying the blame on Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) councillors who are responsible for the City of Harare’s cleanliness, the Harare Post can report.
With the onset of rains the uncollected garbage risks spreading water-borne diseases sparking concerns of a potential health crisis in residential areas. The mounds of uncollected refuse are piling up at a time that the nation is battling to contain a cholera outbreak.
Political analyst, Blessed Gambiza pointed fingers at CCC councillors for neglecting essential services such as waste management and the repair of dilapidated water pipes.
“In most suburbs throughout the city, garbage has gone uncollected during the festive season which was characterised by incessant rains, causing a health time bomb. In the city centre, there are heaps of garbage at bus ranks which have not been collected for months on end.
“The Avenues area has not been left out as an illegal dumpsite along Third Street and Selous Avenue has emerged as a result of the non-collection of refuse. In Mbare, the situation is worse, as garbage is all over, especially at the Mbare Musika bus terminus which is experiencing heavy traffic of people travelling to different places this festive season,” said Gambiza.
Another analyst, Claven Chitsunge added that in the heart of the city, unattended garbage mounds have persisted for months, presenting a serious public health risk. The city centre's ranks are marred with uncollected refuse, creating an eyesore and a potential breeding ground for diseases.
“The Avenues area is grappling with an illegal dumpsite along Third Street and Selous Avenue, a consequence of the prolonged non-collection of refuse. Meanwhile, Mbare is witnessing a surge in unattended garbage, notably at Mbare Musika bus terminus, a hub for holiday travellers,” said Chitsunge.
Nobleman Runyanga, a notable analyst on X pointed out that it was frustrating that council was not delivering adequate service when residents were religiously paying their rates.
“Warren Park is one seriously affected suburb and is experiencing the emergence of dumpsites near public boreholes. This is a consequence of the opposition-led council's failure to manage waste effectively. A survey conducted in the area revealed that the council last collected garbage four months ago, leading residents to resort to illegal dumping in open spaces and road servitudes under the cover of darkness.
“Matters are not helped much by the recent return of Jacob Mafume to the position of the city’s mayor given how he poorly acquitted himself as a civic leader during his previous tenure. Mafume prioritised vanity and feel-good projects like the refurbishment of the Rufaro Stadium at the expense of very serious issues such as bolstering the municipal refuse collection fleet,” Runyanga said.
Meanwhile, the uncollected garbage crisis in Harare continues to escalate, raising concerns about the health and well-being of residents. The CCC-led council faces mounting pressure to address the issues urgently and restore essential services to the city's neighbourhoods.
