dyton mupawaenda
Tafara Chibanda
THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has arrested 364 individuals for littering and imposed fines of up to US$500 on businesses for failing to provide litter bins, as part of an ongoing anti-litter monitoring initiative.
In an interview with this publication, EMA spokesperson Amkela Sidange said:
“As of Friday, EMA had arrested 364 individuals for discarding litter at undesignated points and dumping at undesignated points, with fines imposed according to the law.
“The nature of penalties being imposed are fines, as the laws are clear that one can be fined up to level three,” Sidange said.
She said the initiative will be cascaded across the country, with businesses in the Harare Central Business District already facing fines of up to $500 for failing to provide litter bins on their premises.
“The public has embraced the anti-litter monitoring initiative, and we have volunteers across the country who are passionate about the environment and assist in waste management.
Sidange emphasised that the volunteers are not responsible for cleaning up after litterbugs.
“They are there to ensure the environment is always kept clean, and we don’t want to give the impression that you can litter and someone will clean after you,” she said.
She also said the environment must be kept clean because in other countries littering is a serious offence.
Bongani Ndlovu
Mathew Masinge