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CHRA to conduct a clean-up campaign in Mabvuku
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
May 13, 2010

The Combined Harare Residents Association in conjunction with the residents of Mabvuku and Tafara will be holding a massive clean up campaign on Friday the 14th of May 2010. The clean-up campaign is aimed at removing huge illegal dumpsites that have sprouted in the streets and shopping centers of the suburb. Participants will first gather at Kamunhu Shopping centre at 9am where the different stakeholders will give brief speeches on the role of residents in waste management. The clean up exercise has received overwhelming support from Lafarge Cement, Spar Mabvuku and the City of Harare Waste Management Department.

Lafarge Cement has become a traditional sponsor to clean up campaigns held in the high density suburbs of Mabvuku and Tafara. The cement company has pledged support by providing earth moving equipment and trucks while the City of Harare will be showcasing their newly acquired fleet of refuse collection trucks to the cause. SPAR Mabvuku will be providing refreshments to volunteers.

The campaign has been prompted by the recent typhoid outbreak which claimed more than 8 lives and infected more than 400 residents in Mabvuku and Tafara. The bacteria that causes typhoid was detected in a refuse dump at Matongo Shopping Centre in Tafara and this will be the first port of call for the clean-up. The City of Harare Waste Management department has acknowledged that removal of huge dumpsites is a challenge as the Council does not have earth moving equipment. Mr Sakupwanya, the Acting Superintendent in the city's Waste Management Department, said that the Council would need to hire earth moving equipment at a rate of $60 per hour from private companies in order to remove the dumpsites, which is a mammoth task as Council does not have that kind of money. Mr. Sakupwanya also cited the shortage of plastic and metal rubbish bins as a challenge and appealed to well-wishers to offer their support in the form of used 200 litre drums that can be placed at shopping centers for use as rubbish bins.

The clean-up campaign has been welcomed by motorists and police officers in Mabvuku who said that most roads were now closed due to mounting refuse that is dumped by residents along roads and at street corners. Such roads include Dande and Shashe Crescent, Kariyana Avenue opposite Batanai Primary school and corner Chingwezi and Nyamuzuzi streets. Meanwhile CHRA and the residents of Mbare are planning to hold another Clean up exercise in a bid to clear huge dumpsites at Matererini, Matapi and Shawasha Flats which have become a health time bomb to the residents.

CHRA remains committed to advocating for good, transparent and accountable local governance as well as lobbying for quality municipal services on a non partisan basis.

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