EMA clears 400 tonnes of waste in Harare

Tanyaradzwa Chatyoka

THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has collected more than 400 tonnes of solid waste in the Harare Metropolitan province since taking over waste management duties from the region’s four local authorities last month.

Over this period, EMA has also issued fines of up to US$5 000 to 104 individuals and companies for violating anti-littering regulations. Last month, President Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster in the province’s four local authorities — Harare, Epworth, Ruwa and Chitungwiza. As a result, EMA was ordered to address the province’s solid waste management crisis.

EMA environment education and publicity manager Ms Amkela Sidange told The Sunday Mail that the agency was clearing illegal waste dumps.

“As of September 20, 2023, EMA has been the coordinating entity of activities and has managed to collect 400 tonnes of solid waste out of the 800 metric tonnes that have been set. Illegal dumps have been removed,” said Ms Sidange.

“One hundred and four tickets have already been issued to those who were caught violating regulations on waste management. The tickets are being issued from the minimum of level eight to a maximum of level 14, where level 14 is a US$5 000 fine.”

EMA, Mrs Sidange said, was also conducting door-to-door awareness campaigns and road shows to educate the public about solid waste management.