Chronicle Editor
Flora Fadzai Sibanda, Chronicle Reporter
THE death of 13 people in Luveve suburb in 2020 after they drank unsafe water jolted some residents to establish a health and environment taskforce that is working to reduce health hazards and keep the community clean.
Members of the Mafakela Health and Environment Task Force have since February this year been working to clear illegal dumpsites, help with clean-ups at schools around the area and teaching residents about the importance of keeping the environment clean.
Community believe that such a high number of people should not have died, hence their decision to start talking about possible ways of avoiding another outbreak from taking lives again.
The taskforce has 150 members.
In an interview, Mafakela Health and Environment Task Force spokesperson Mr Chrispin Ngulube said they included environment in their initiative as they realise that most diseases that usually break out in their community are caused by poor sanitation.
He said the taskforce started with eight members but the number has increased to 150 members. Mr Ngulube said membership in the task force is open to any in the community who wants to participate.
Mr Ngulube said they clean around Mafikela area; clearing dumpsites, going to help clean at schools and teach residents about the importance of keeping the environment clean.
He said they sometimes work with the Girl Guides of Zimbabwe Association when doing their campaigns.
Mr Ngulube said lack of resources is slowing them down as they are a few things they fail to do due to lack of funds.
He said he is very happy with the way his community is responding as it is taking the initiative seriously.
“We were inspired by the deaths which took place in Luveve due to typhoid. It scarred us as a community. Most of the people who died were our friends and neighbours.
After their deaths we would constantly talk about creating a task force that would help reduce chances of facing another outbreak like that one. We however, formally started it in February this year,” he said.
“When we started, there were only eight members including myself. We have now grown to 150 members as a lot of people are now joining and showing interest. I am really happy with the increasing number of members as it shows the community is taking it seriously.”
He said they host cleanup campaigns around Luveve and Gwabalanda and work hand in hand with Environmental Management Agency (EMA) as well as the Bulawayo City Council.
Mr Ngulube said they have a number of projects that they undertake.
“We do a number of projects around our area. We help clean the Mafakela primary school from time to time. We have also helped to clean Luveve clinic. We also help to clear dumpsites and monitor everyone to make sure they do not dispose their garbage in public areas. We have also helped the Girl Guides of Zimbabwe Association in their clean up campaigns that they do,” Mr Ngulube said.
He said protective clothing is not readily available.
“The challenge we have is lack of protective gears that are readily available. We depend on city council and EMA to give us from time to time. Otherwise, most of the time we do not have any protective clothing so people end up not coming. Another challenge is lack of tools to help us function. We have to use our own tools whenever we are going out,” he said.
Mr Ngulube said he hopes that more youths will join the initiation as they are only a few now.
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