Peter Tanyanyiwa
Herald Reporter
THE Ruwa Local Board (RLB), in partnership with the Harare Metropolitan Province, has launched an intensified anti-litter campaign, declaring a zero-tolerance approach to littering as the town joined the nation in observing the National Clean-Up Day held on the first Friday of July.
The campaign, launched under the theme of promoting a cleaner, greener and more beautiful Ruwa, seeks to transform residents’ attitudes towards waste management while strengthening enforcement of the Ruwa Local Board (Anti-Litter) By-laws, 2019 (Statutory Instrument 35 of 2019), which prohibit the dumping or abandonment of litter in public places and empower authorised officers to enforce compliance.
Speaking during the launch, Ruwa Local Board chairperson Councillor Michael Mataruka said the time had come for every resident to take responsibility for protecting the environment.
“This campaign is not just about cleaning our streets today; it is about changing mindsets and building a lasting culture of environmental responsibility,” he said.
“Littering is an offence under our by-laws, and we are stepping up enforcement to ensure that everyone plays their part in keeping Ruwa clean.”
He said the local authority was committed to making Ruwa one of Zimbabwe’s cleanest and most attractive urban centres through a combination of public education, community participation and firm enforcement of environmental regulations.
“A clean town is a healthy town. We are calling upon residents, businesses, schools, churches, industries and community organisations to join hands with the local authority in safeguarding our environment.
“Together we can create a cleaner, greener and more beautiful Ruwa that we can all be proud of.”
Councillor Mataruka said the initiative also supports the Government’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030, which recognise environmental protection, sustainable urban development and improved service delivery as critical pillars towards attaining an upper-middle-income economy.
Ruwa Local Board spokesperson Ms Josephine Mwaitirwa said the campaign marked the beginning of a sustained programme aimed at embedding environmental stewardship within the community.
“The Ruwa Anti-Litter Campaign is aimed at changing behaviour and encouraging every resident to understand that keeping the town clean is a shared responsibility,” she said. “Today’s launch is only the beginning of a long-term programme that will involve all sectors of the community.”
She said activities planned over the coming months include community clean-up exercises, school environmental education programmes, door-to-door awareness campaigns, roadshows, clean-up competitions, stakeholder engagement with businesses, residents’ associations and community organisations, as well as tree-planting initiatives to enhance the town’s beauty.
Ms Mwaitirwa said the local authority would also intensify the enforcement of anti-litter by-laws to curb indiscriminate dumping and improve environmental compliance.
“We are sending a clear message that littering has no place in Ruwa. Our enforcement teams will work alongside education and awareness programmes to ensure residents appreciate the importance of proper waste disposal. Everyone has a role to play in protecting our environment.”
The monthly National Clean-Up Day, introduced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2018, has become a nationwide initiative encouraging citizens, local authorities, Government departments and the private sector to maintain clean and healthy environments.
The Ruwa Anti-Litter Campaign is expected to strengthen environmental awareness, improve public health, promote sustainable waste management and contribute towards the attainment of Vision 2030, National Development Strategy 1 and Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
With the launch of the campaign, Ruwa has reaffirmed its commitment to becoming one of Zimbabwe’s cleanest towns through active community participation, environmental education and strict enforcement of anti-littering laws.
Herald Reporter
The Ruwa Local Board (RLB), in partnership with the Harare Metropolitan Province, has launched an intensified anti-litter campaign, declaring a zero-tolerance approach to littering as the town joined the nation in observing the National Clean-Up Day held on the first Friday of July.
The campaign, launched under the theme of promoting a cleaner, greener and more beautiful Ruwa, seeks to transform residents’ attitudes towards waste management while strengthening enforcement of the Ruwa Local Board (Anti-Litter) By-laws, 2019 (Statutory Instrument 35 of 2019), which prohibit the dumping or abandonment of litter in public places and empower authorised officers to enforce compliance.
Speaking during the launch, Ruwa Local Board chairperson Councillor Michael Mataruka said the time had come for every resident to take responsibility for protecting the environment.
“This campaign is not just about cleaning our streets today; it is about changing mindsets and building a lasting culture of environmental responsibility,” he said.
“Littering is an offence under our by-laws, and we are stepping up enforcement to ensure that everyone plays their part in keeping Ruwa clean.”
He said the local authority was committed to making Ruwa one of Zimbabwe’s cleanest and most attractive urban centres through a combination of public education, community participation and firm enforcement of environmental regulations.
“A clean town is a healthy town. We are calling upon residents, businesses, schools, churches, industries and community organisations to join hands with the local authority in safeguarding our environment.
“Together we can create a cleaner, greener and more beautiful Ruwa that we can all be proud of.”
Councillor Mataruka said the initiative also supports the Government’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030, which recognise environmental protection, sustainable urban development and improved service delivery as critical pillars towards attaining an upper-middle-income economy.
Ruwa Local Board spokesperson Ms Josephine Mwaitirwa said the campaign marked the beginning of a sustained programme aimed at embedding environmental stewardship within the community.
“The Ruwa Anti-Litter Campaign is aimed at changing behaviour and encouraging every resident to understand that keeping the town clean is a shared responsibility,” she said. “Today’s launch is only the beginning of a long-term programme that will involve all sectors of the community.”
She said activities planned over the coming months include community clean-up exercises, school environmental education programmes, door-to-door awareness campaigns, roadshows, clean-up competitions, stakeholder engagement with businesses, residents’ associations and community organisations, as well as tree-planting initiatives to enhance the town’s beauty.
Ms Mwaitirwa said the local authority would also intensify the enforcement of anti-litter by-laws to curb indiscriminate dumping and improve environmental compliance.
“We are sending a clear message that littering has no place in Ruwa. Our enforcement teams will work alongside education and awareness programmes to ensure residents appreciate the importance of proper waste disposal. Everyone has a role to play in protecting our environment.”
The monthly National Clean-Up Day, introduced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2018, has become a nationwide initiative encouraging citizens, local authorities, Government departments and the private sector to maintain clean and healthy environments.
The Ruwa Anti-Litter Campaign is expected to strengthen environmental awareness, improve public health, promote sustainable waste management and contribute towards the attainment of Vision 2030, National Development Strategy 1 and Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
With the launch of the campaign, Ruwa has reaffirmed its commitment to becoming one of Zimbabwe’s cleanest towns through active community participation, environmental education and strict enforcement of anti-littering laws.
Online Reporter