Bulawayo City Council (BCC) is under increasing pressure from councillors over its failure to address the ongoing health and environmental crisis at the Ngozi mine landfill site.
Councilors have voiced frustration over the lack of progress, highlighting a broken promise to publicise a call for expressions of interest to manage the site, leaving residents of Cowdray Park and surrounding areas exposed to potential health risks.
Ward Six Councilor Nkosinathi Hove Mpofu expressed disappointment, saying a public notice for waste management at the site, promised last year, has yet to materialise.
“Last year we were promised that a notice would be put to the public so that those who want to work there could indicate their interest and be evaluated. It is now towards the end of the second year and nothing tangible has been done,” he said.
Mpofu also raised concerns that the central government might impose a solution, similar to Harare’s engagement with Geo Pomona, without considering the city’s specific needs.
Ward Seven Councilor Thandiwe Moyo questioned the council’s commitment to residents’ wellbeing.
“It has been so long talking about Ngozi mine. Are we caring for the people?” she asked, warning that daily exposure to smoke is harming residents’ health.
Proportional Representation Councilor Siboniso Moyo added that the council’s inaction could have legal repercussions. “If the council does not take this seriously, one of these days we will find ourselves in court, or worse, after people have died because Ngozi mine has done a lot of damage,” she said.
Moyo described witnessing smoke from the site, highlighting its impact on respiratory health, including asthma and chest pain, particularly among children. She also warned that gases from burning waste, such as carbon dioxide, contribute to climate change and long-term health risks like cancer.
While acknowledging that addressing the site could cost up to $2 million, Moyo urged the council to prioritise residents’ lives. “If we are to fix this, we are looking at a cost of $2 million, but let us consider people’s lives. Ngozi mine is dangerous,” she said.
A report from the Health, Housing and Education Committee indicated that the Town Clerk had advised councillors that central government had issued directives for all local authorities to manage landfill sites, following Harare’s Pomona model.
“Local Authorities were required to copy the City of Harare landfill site model being managed by POMONA (pvt) Ltd. Energy was being generated from waste at Pomona landfill site. A lot of companies had indicated an interest in the management of the City’s landfill site at Richmond. The issue would be tendered out inline with PRAZ and ZIDA regulations. Once the tendering process was done and finalised, the landfill site would be properly managed,” the report read.
Support CITE’s fearless, independent journalism. Your donation helps us amplify community voices, fight misinformation, and hold power to account. Help keep the truth alive. Donate today