Chronicle Editor
Yoliswa Dube-Moyo, Matabeleland South Bureau Chief
THE Municipality of Gwanda is failing to collect refuse in the mining town owing to the breakdown of its refuse collection fleet.
This has resulted in some residents dumping garbage in undesignated areas which have become breeding grounds for diseases and vermin.
The local authority has in recent times been dogged by a number of challenges including failure to supply water due to breakdowns at its water treatment plant.
It has also struggled to establish a compliance landfill and close down a dumpsite which was condemned years ago. In a statement, the municipality said it was failing to collect refuse due to challenges with its refuse collection fleet.
“The municipality is facing challenges in refuse collection due to the untimely breakdown of our refuse collection fleet. Our regular refuse collection programme has therefore been temporarily suspended,” said the statement.
The local authority said engineers were working tirelessly to restore the fleet back to service.
“Residents are therefore reminded to observe all Covid-19 protocols,” read the statement.
Residents who spoke to Chronicle said the local authority was constantly being tested and continuously failed them.
“This is not the first time we’ve had a situation where refuse has not been collected in weeks. People end up dumping and some resort to burning which affects others,” said Ms Sibongile Mpofu of Phakama suburb.
She said dumped garbage is breeding ground for rats and mosquitoes which thrive in such areas.
“Some of us have young children and sometimes have a hard time getting them to stay away from dumped garbage. There’s a high chance of contracting diseases from such places,” said Ms Mpofu.
Gwanda Residents Association president Mr Wellington Nare said residents were concerned about the poor performance of the local authority.
“Failure of the municipality to collect refuse is a serious cause of concern. Residents are worried about the performance of the council especially in delivering basic services considering that the bills are now being pegged in forex,” said Mr Nare.
Gwanda mayor Councillor Njabulo Siziba said residents had the right to complain whenever services were not being delivered satisfactorily.
“We’re trying hard as a municipality to deliver good services but sometimes we come across some challenges. We have one compactor whose hydraulic system has an oil leak. We’re in engagement with the manufacturer towards its repairs. We also use a tractor and in emergency cases, we use a tipper truck. We make an effort to collect refuse in-between the challenges and ensure we clear the backlog,” said Clr Siziba. – @Yolisswa
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