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21 litterbugs arrested in city
Tsitsi Matope, The Herald (Zimbabwe)
October 19, 2006

http://www1.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=10376&cat=1&livedate=10/19/2006

AT LEAST 21 people were arrested in Harare yesterday for throwing litter in public places, as the city council began a campaign to restore cleanliness streets.

They were fined $250 each.

Launched a day late as authorities tried to iron out logistical problems, the clampdown is the first one that has seen individuals being arrested for throwing litter in "undesignated" places since the enactment of the Environment Management Act.

Zimbabwe Republic Police, municipal police and officers from the Environment Management Agency nabbed the offenders around Kaguvi and Mbuya Nehanda streets and in the Market Square area.

Yesterday, several shops on the edge of the city centre that were found without litter bins outside their premises, were warned and given ultimatums to acquire them.

Some people were caught red handed throwing plastic bags, food wrappers and mobile phone recharge cards onto the ground.

In an interview, Environment Management Agency spokesperson, Mr Phillip Manyaza said the 21 were charged under the Environment Management Act.

"We were happy to know that all the offenders were aware that throwing litter in public places is an offence. They explained that they had done it without putting much thought on the repercussions of their actions," Mr Manyaza said.

What was disturbing, Mr Manyaza said, was that some supermarket workers who were expected to be partners in the fight against littering, were at the forefront of throwing litter outside their shops.

"We have issued very stern warnings particularly to some general dealer shops, food outlet workers and a few other supermarkets usually congested with customers, to desist from throwing plastic and mobile phone recharge cards outside. We expect these to help us curb the problem of litter."

Mr Manyaza said the operation continues and that tomorrow the taskforce will be targeting other parts of the city.

On Tuesday morning agency board members held an urgent meeting with Police Deputy Commissioner Godwin Matanga, several other police officers, Zimbabwe National Army officers and several environmental groups to enlist their support and explain how the exercise would be conducted.

Mr Manyaza said agency board chairperson, Professor Isheunesu Mupepereki explained the need to consider environment-related crimes as serious offences owing to the impact these would have on both the economy and the environment.

"Basically, the whole essence of the Tuesday meeting was to highlight to the police and army officers, who are part of the joint command, the importance of fighting environmental crimes.

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