More than 1000 residents living near Bulawayo’s Richmond Landfill, popularly known as Ngozi Mine, face environmental hazards from excessive smoke, litter and poor waste management, the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has reported.
In its September update on Bulawayo Province, ZPP said communities around the landfill, including Cowdray Park, Emakhandeni and Luveve, were affected by pollution, raising concerns about residents’ living conditions and environmental rights.
The report also questioned the transparency and public participation surrounding a proposed waste management agreement between Bulawayo City Council (BCC) and Geo Pomona Waste Management.
The proposed engagement follows a directive by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, instructing the council to conclude a memorandum of understanding with the Harare-based company.
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While some stakeholders see the arrangement as a possible solution to persistent fires and smoke at the landfill, others have questioned the directive, citing concerns about procurement procedures and the council’s ongoing processes.
“Residents have also raised concerns over transparency and public participation following a directive by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works instructing Bulawayo City Council to engage Geo Pomona Waste Management despite the council’s ongoing procurement and public-private partnership processes,” the report said.
ZPP said the intervention raised concerns about constitutional provisions relating to administrative justice, access to information, devolution and local government.
Affected communities and residents’ groups have called for greater transparency and accountability, including disclosure of the proposed agreement’s legal, financial and environmental implications.
Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart has said the council must establish whether the arrangement is financially viable before committing public funds.
He said the city needed substantial investment to improve waste separation and processing but was still assessing Geo Pomona’s operations and costs.
The proposed agreement has also raised concerns about the livelihoods of people who recover recyclable materials at Ngozi Mine and depend on the landfill for income.
The debate comes as the city faces pressure to address persistent waste management problems while ensuring that decisions on public services are transparent and take account of affected communities.
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