Online Reporter
Faith Ndlovu
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) is tightening its stance on environmental offenders through a new set of solid waste management by-laws designed to address the city’s growing waste crisis and restore urban cleanliness.
At the heart of the new regulations is a name-and-shame policy, targeting individuals convicted of illegal dumping, in a bold move aimed at deterring would-be offenders and promoting accountability.
The by-laws, which are set to be implemented in the coming weeks, represent a significant step in the BCC’s strategy to enforce stricter environmental standards, improve waste management, and enhance service delivery across the city.
According to the latest council minutes, the sweeping reforms will cover everything from the removal and classification of refuse and event-based waste management plans to the prohibition of burning and unauthorised dumping.
The by-laws also introduce a tiered system of fines based on the severity of the offence.
Under the new laws, any person found dumping litter in public or private places, sweeping waste onto streets or pavements, or discarding trash from moving vehicles will face stiff penalties.
Offenders may also have their names and offences published on council platforms, including the BCC website, notice boards and the media, or any other public forum deemed appropriate.
“The council may publish the name of any person convicted of dumping in contravention of this by-law… including the details of their offence,” the minutes read.
This marks the first time that the city has taken such a public approach to environmental violations, aligning with broader efforts to curb illegal dumping, which has been blamed for urban decay, clogged drainage systems and public health risks.
The by-laws clarify that all domestic waste collected by the council becomes the property of the BCC from the moment it is picked up outside a property boundary. No unauthorised individual may interfere with, remove, or scavenge from waste bins without written permission from the council.
In a bid to prevent injuries and damage to equipment, items such as hot ash, broken glass, or other hazardous materials are now banned from regular waste bins.
A key innovation in the regulations is the requirement for event organisers to submit a detailed waste management plan at least five working days before hosting any public event.
This plan must include logistics for waste storage, collection, recycling, and disposal, along with costing and a refundable deposit to cover clean-up operations.
“Should there be waste left at or near the event venue, the waste management officer may co-ordinate clean-up operations, with the costs deducted from the deposit or billed to the organiser,” the minutes read.
The use or distribution of glass containers at public events is also prohibited unless special permission is granted, to reduce the risk of injuries from broken glass. The by-laws outline five fine levels based on the type of offence.
Littering is categorised under level two, burning waste and creating nuisances such as odour or vermin is level three, while illegal dumping, placing building rubble in public areas, and unauthorised fires at waste disposal sites is level five.
This framework provides a clearer structure for enforcement and allows the BCC to escalate responses depending on the severity of infractions.
The new waste by-laws come at a time when Bulawayo has been grappling with waste mismanagement, exacerbated by limited resources and public non-compliance.
Illegal dumpsites have mushroomed in several suburbs, threatening public health and undermining the city’s aesthetic appeal.
