Cowdray Park residents breathe easier as rains douse Ngozi Mine fires

HEAVY rains that pounded the city over the weekend have significantly reduced sporadic fires at the Richmond Landfill, residents have said.

Commonly known as Ngozi Mine, the 20-year-old landfill, commissioned by the Bulawayo City Council in 1994, has been battling fires that break out from time to time.

Residents of Cowdray Park are the most affected by smoke from the Ngozi Mine fires.

“I think the high temperatures in August to mid-November made the situation worse as the fires broke out almost every day.

“The recent rains have really helped put out the fires. Since it started raining, we barely see smoke from Ngozi Mine,” said a Cowdray Park resident, Mrs Noma Phiri.

Mrs Phiri’s house is part of the residential areas in the sprawling suburb that has, of late, been choking from clouds of smoke billowing from Ngozi Mine

BCC councillors have proposed the landfill be moved to an area far away from residential areas.

Two schools, Cowdray Secondary and Tategulu Primary, are also close to the landfill.

More to follow……..