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Residents welcome the resuscitation of refuse collection in the City's suburbs
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
May 05, 2010

Residents in the western suburbs of Harare have welcomed the move by the City of Harare to resume refuse collection. The positive development came after the Council borrowed US$10 million to resuscitate its Waste Management Department. The Council has since purchased six refuse collection trucks as well as six tipper trucks that have been circulating in the city's western suburbs.

CHRA conducted a meeting with the Acting Superintendent at Kevin Waste Management Depot, Mr. Sakupwanya, and he pointed out that the existing trucks had been dedicated to the Western suburbs and low density areas. However, the Eastern suburbs are yet to be covered and this includes the Greendale Masasa area. The Council is expecting ten more trucks within the next week. Mr. Sakupwanya, however, pointed out that the huge piles of refuse that litter most shopping centers and streets in high density areas will take a little longer to be cleared as the Council does not have Front-end Loaders to do the job. He said that the Council has had to hire the Loaders at an average rate of US$60 per hour, which is difficult for the cash strapped Council coffers.

Residents have however, raised concerns on the Council's failure to notify residents of the collection schedule which has resulted in most refuse bins not being collected.

The resuscitation of refuse collection is likely to improve the relationship between Council and ratepayers which has been strained by Council's insistence on demanding payment for non-existent services. Residents who spoke to the CHRA Secretariat indicated that they would resume payments for refuse collection if the Council is consistent with the work that has just begun.

CHRA had noted with concern, the alarming rate at which refuse was pilling up especially in the high density suburbs which are characterized by a high population concentration. The pilling refuse especially in areas like Nenyere flats in Mbare and other areas like Mabvuku and Mufakose, had become a serious health time bomb whose effects could have been devastating to the broader populace within the City. Health experts have it on good record that the typhoid bacteria that caused the outbreak in Mabvuku were located in one of the dump sites at Matongo shopping centre. It is against this background that the CHRA would like to implore the City of Harare to remain consistent in their initiative and to employ proper and effective maintenance strategies so that the vehicles will go a long way in servicing the City.

CHRA remains committed to advocating for good, transparent and accountable local governance as well as lobbying for quality and affordable municipal services.

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