Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu , Matabeleland South Bureau Chief
LARGE green irritating flies and thick dark clouds of toxic smoke, are now part of Ms Rejoice Nkomo’s everyday life.
A resident of Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle in Gwanda, Ms Nkomo’s house is located adjacent to a condemned dumpsite used by the local authority.
Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle residents in Gwanda have waited anxiously for Gwanda Municipality to close the dumpsite which was condemned 11 years ago due to its proximity to houses.
In 2015, the local authority constructed a compliance landfill with the assistance of World Vision.
For the landfill to start functioning, council mainly needs a compactor and a roller which it does not have.
Once operational, the landfill will help solve the waste disposal challenges the town is facing.
Last year the municipality at a full council meeting passed a resolution to close the condemned dumpsite by end of April last year.
This raised residents’ hopes but the resolution was never fulfilled.
Residents say they are still waiting for council to fulfil its promise.
The illegal dumpsite being used is a major attraction for baboons that go on to vandalise property in people’s houses.
Some of the baboons stray into the Joshua’s Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic College which is also situated close to dumpsite.
The dumpsite is also an eyesore for travellers passing along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Highway. Continuous burning at the dumpsite is another serious hazard.
Ms Nkomo said large green flies are now part of their lives.
“These flies have become part of our homes and we fear that they might be an outbreak of diseases such as cholera. The awful stench that comes from the dumpsite is also unbearable,” she said.
Mr Paul Zimhira who operates a grocery shop in the area said he has lost a lot of customers who now prefer to buy from shops located far from the dumpsite because of the flies.
Mr Zimhira said it is difficult to run the business considering the filth that is around.
He said their shops are meant to service the area but people that are supposed to be their customers now prefer to buy from other shops.
“This environment isn’t good for business because people feel our goods are dirty because of the flies. We can’t even sell meat because people don’t want to buy meat where there are a lot of flies like here,”he said.
Ms Ramwi Tafira who is a resident said their area was unsafe for children who end up playing at the dumpsite where they collect rubbish.
She said the dumpsite also attracts criminals who mug people and break into people’s homes.
Ms Tafira said it is high time that the dumpsite is relocated for their safety.
Environmental Management Authority (EMA) Matabeleland South provincial manager, Mr Decent Ndlovu said they have made several attempts to ensure that the illegal dumpsite is closed.
He said the municipality told them that it failed to secure the necessary equipment which has caused a delay.
“The dumpsite is illegal and it’s causing a lot of pollution to the environment and it’s a health hazard. We have issued several orders to the municipality instructing them to close the illegal dumpsite. It’s difficult for us to force them to move because if they go to the new landfill without proper equipment then it would create another dumpsite where refuse will pile up which is what we don’t want,” said Mr Ndlovu.
Gwanda Mayor, Clr Njabulo Siziba said the local authority does not have funds to buy the necessary equipment to move the dumpsite to the landfill.
He said they have engaged some local mining companies to assist with the equipment. Clr Siziba said council is aware of the effects of the illegal dumpsite but at the moment there was nothing it could do.– @DubeMatutu
Online Reporter