Online Reporter
Takudzwa Mangrozah and Belindah Chikandiwa-Zimpapers Reporters
THE Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province, Charles Tavengwa, has called on local authorities to urgently improve waste management and overall service delivery.
He said current poor standards are tarnishing the city’s image and its standing as a world-class destination.
The minister’s remarks were made during a meeting with mayors, town clerks, and senior Government officials in the capital yesterday.
He added that the gathering was a follow-up to President Mnangagwa’s “Call to Action – No Compromise to Service Delivery” initiative, launched in November 2023.
“Our objective today is to assess whether local authorities have aligned their operations within the service delivery blueprint towards attaining Vision 2030 goals,” said Minister Tavengwa.
He directly challenged both council leaders and residents to take greater pride in their communities.
“Do we truly value our communities enough to deliver high standards of service? Are we committed to creating a clean, safe, and dignified environment for all?” Minister Tavengwa said. The minister noted that Zimbabwe’s recognition as a key global tourism destination places a responsibility on city authorities to ensure the capital reflects that status.
While he commended the public-private partnership between the City of Harare and Geo Pomona for improving garbage collection, he expressed serious concern over persistent issues.
These include uncollected refuse, the open burning of waste, and a critical shortage of litter bins in many areas.
“As you approach the city early in the morning, the streets are littered with garbage. What has gone wrong? In the past, cleaning crews were on the streets by 5 a.m.,” he said.
Minister Tavengwa highlighted the dangers of air pollution from open burning and reported the poor handling of skip bins, noting that some are being damaged after being filled with sand.
Quoting Section 83 of the Environmental Management Act, which prohibits littering, Minister Tavengwa urged everyone to take legal and moral responsibility for keeping the environment clean.
He further called on councils to proactively address other urban ailments, such as clogged drains and potholes, ahead of the rainy season.
“We have to be frank and open about these issues. Our residents expect acceptable service delivery,” the Minister said.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to identify specific waste management challenges across all local authorities and develop practical solutions to improve urban cleanliness and service standards.
