Chronicle Editor
Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu, [email protected]
BULAWAYO City Council is looking into purchasing five refuse trucks as part of its solid waste management master plan intended to restore standards in the city which was once the cleanest in Zimbabwe.
Although resource constraints have hindered implementation, the council’s policy on waste management is that every household must have a bin for storage of waste.
The city council also emphasises collecting the bins every week in the residential areas and the industrial areas.
According to the recent council minutes, the master plan will see the improvement of bin coverage in the CBD and the introduction of smart solutions which include a mobile solid waste management application.
The director for health services Dr Edwin Mzingwane said part of the plan will see the training of supervisory staff and increase the frequency of landfill maintenance.
“The department had come up with a short-term 10-point plan for improving the cleanliness of the city in 2024 which was presented below. For the medium to long-term plans and strategies, the department intends to engage a partner to develop a Solid Waste management master,” said Dr Mzingwane.
“The plan will focus on the procurement of at least five additional refuse compactors, waste education, improve stakeholder participation and enhance enforcement of bylaws.”
The Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said the council had sought authority to purchase four refuse compactors in addition to the six compactors which will be availed through hiring and outsourcing.
The issue of Community Truckers was being concluded and the Procurement Authority of Zimbabwe is now objecting to the use of Community Truckers in refuse collection. Due to resource challenges efforts to engage PRAZ were being done for the Community Trucks to extend their contracts and services in some areas in Cowdray Park,” he said.
The existing by-law, which was enacted in 1970, has become outdated and no longer aligns with the current needs and challenges faced by the city. To address this, the council has partnered with Mercy Corps, a non-governmental organization, to develop an inclusive and effective solid waste management by-law.
Key highlights of the proposed by-law include provisions that will compel organizations and individuals to maintain cleanliness within a 5-meter radius of their premises.
Additionally, the by-law aims to tackle the issue of abandoned vehicles, which have become a significant problem in the city.
To combat illegal dumping, the council intends to name and shame individuals involved in such activities, while also encouraging whistleblowing to identify offenders. Under the new by-law, litter will be considered the property of the city, strengthening the council’s authority in enforcing waste management regulations.
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