Uncollected refuse piles up in Bulawayo’s city centre, health hazard looms

HEAPS of refuse continue to pile up in the Bulawayo city centre, especially along the market area, as farmers start bringing farm produce in bulk for sale in the city, adding to the already existing garbage that remains uncollected.

The city market area is a hive of activity with farmers bringing in farm produce such as green mealies, cabbages, watermelon and vegetables and vendors throw away excess produce into piles of garbage.

Vendors who spoke to Chronicle said refuse in the area has not been collected in close to two weeks.

“Farmers from Umguza and other surrounding areas have started bringing maize to the market and the excess leaves from the maize cobs that we remove before selling to our clients are thrown away into heaps of garbage. The market area already has its own fair share of garbage that the council must collect daily but we haven’t seen the refuse trucks in close to two weeks,” said Mrs Anele Sibanda.

Another vendor Miss Otillia Muchena said the recent rains are making the situation worse.

“The drainage system around the market area is often blocked and when it rains the refuse blocks rainwater from flowing into the storm drains and the whole place turns into a huge mess.

“Our appeal is for BCC (Bulawayo City Council) to collect refuse daily in the market area otherwise the uncollected refuse will continue to pile up,” said Mrs Muchena.

Chronicle understands that council recently cancelled contracts for independent refuse collectors who have been working in the city centre.
More to follow………….