Piles of uncollected rubbish, choking smoke from burning waste, and swarms of mosquitoes have become part of daily life for residents of Cowdray Park in Bulawayo, who say the city’s failure to manage waste is making their neighbourhood unlivable.
The concerns were raised during a community dialogue meeting on Tuesday at Cowdray Park Brethren In Christ Church, organised by the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITEZW), the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA), and the Public Policy Research Institute of Zimbabwe (PPRIZ).
Despite repeated complaints, families told the meeting that illegal dumping continues in open spaces and near homes, creating health hazards and worsening flooding when drains are blocked.
Nozo Mpala, who lives near the Cowdray Park flyover, said the situation had become unbearable.
“The waste being dumped at the flyover is affecting us a lot. People are dumping old televisions, rubbish, and other waste there regularly. When water comes, it cannot pass through because of the waste, which causes flooding. It has affected us, and there is now a high rate of mosquitoes,” said Mpala.
Another resident, Michael Ndlovu, said he had repeatedly reported the issue to Bulawayo City Council, but nothing had changed.
“I have reported the waste dumping at the flyover many times, but nothing has been done. The waste is still there, and it’s affecting my home. The city council should put policies in place to control this. They could give each household a bin liner to keep waste inside their homes and when the refuse truck comes they can collect waste directly from residents’ homes instead of letting it pile at a dumpsite only to be burned by residents,” he said.
Naison Sibanda said dumping was now spreading to other areas, including near a church opposite the hospital.
“When they burn it, the smoke is very dangerous. Some of us have chest problems, and inhaling that smoke makes it worse. The council needs to address this immediately,” said Sibanda.
Norbet Mpofu added that refuse trucks were contributing to the problem.
“When the refuse truck comes, sometimes they drop rubbish on the road. Can they do their job properly? Rubbish sometimes stays on the ground for a week, and this has become a serious problem,” he said.
Ward 28 Councillor Ntandowenkosi Ndlovu acknowledged the crisis, saying illegal dumping at the flyover had become “a thorn in the flesh” for residents.
“I was told that people from other wards come here and dump rubbish. I have spoken to their councillor and told them not to do that. If they are from other wards, they should throw rubbish in their own areas. The community group members responsible for encouraging residents to dump waste in other wards need to stop immediately,” he said.
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