adminsaid.
He told a full council meeting last Thursday that the city, together with the police and the Environment Management Agency, would soon launch a blitz targeting business premises and commuter omnibuses.
Kombis without bins would be impounded and fined US$57 per day for storage at the council’s Coventry depot.
Fines for businesses are yet to be agreed upon.
“We want to change the mindset of the people,” Dr Mahachi said. “City by-laws stipulate that shops should have bins. Those without bins would be prosecuted,” he said.
The latest move by the council aims at addressing the garbage crisis facing the city and to support clean-up initiatives by other environmental organisations. Councillors welcomed the new battery of measures for anti-littering.
Clr Tariro Chikumbirike said penalties should be punitive enough to discourage the illegal dumping of waste.
“We should show we are serious,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Clr Emmanuel Chiroto cautioned garbage collection crews for working in a manner taht damaged the council’s image.
“They are speeding and causing danger to the community,” he said.
Dr Mahachi promised to address the complaints.
He reported to the council that the refuse collection fleet had been increased to 43 following the recent delivery of 23 new trucks.
The city has a target of 46 refuse trucks to allow each of the wards to be serviced.
Dr Mahachi said revenue collection from water had fallen from US$6 million a month to US$4 million owing largely to non-payment by residents protesting over poor service delivery.
Water production had also fallen sharply from 600 million litres a day to 500 million litres.
He said water leakages from burst pipes were resulting in a loss of up to 40 percent of the treated water.
Online Reporter