‘Chinhoyi dumpsite a health time bomb’

John Murwira Mash West correspondent
Chinhoyi Municipality’s open dumpsite at the centre of Rujeko and St Irvines suburbs is a ticking health time bomb that has put the lives of thousands of residents under threat.

Chinhoyi residents trust co-ordinator Mr Peter Liwanda said residents of the two suburbs situated along the Chinhoyi-Chegutu Highway were dreading the rainy season, as flies have extended their breeding area from the dumpsite into their homes. Mr Liwanda said residents were deeply concerned by the damage caused by the council’s erratic refuse collection.

“There are dumpsites at every corner and council must come up with a solid action plan to address the issue of waste management. The big open dumpsite is surrounded by Rujeko and St Irvines suburbs and this is cause for concern,” he said.

Chinhoyi Municipality spokesperson Mr Tichaona Mlauzi said the council was trying by all means to make sure they spray both the dumpsite and the surrounding homes at least three times per week.

“As a short-term plan to curb the breeding of flies both at the dumpsite and surrounding homesteads, we are spaying three times per week. However, there are plans for a landfill and most likely we are going to have a proper landfill at a place in Dolomite once we reach consensus with other negotiating partners,” he said.