Bulawayo’s main landfill site in Richmond has come under renewed scrutiny after councillors warned that recurring fires and air pollution were putting residents’ health at risk.
Communities in Cowdray Park have complained of heavy smoke from the dumpsite, with councillors saying poor management and delays in implementing waste projects had worsened the situation.
Ward 28 Councillor Nthandoyenkosi Ndlovu told a full council meeting this week that the landfill had become “a source of serious suffering” for residents.
“Council has failed to adjudicate tenders advertised in 2024. If no action is taken, central government could impose a model similar to Pomona in Harare,” he said, referring to the controversial waste-to-energy project run by a private contractor in the capital.
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Other councillors echoed the concerns. Ward 6’s Nkosilathi Mpofu said the smoke crisis should be treated “as an emergency”, while Ward 7’s Thandiwe Moyo criticised the “very slow implementation” of proposals.
Mayor David Coltart acknowledged the landfill’s impact and revealed that the city was in talks with a Canadian organisation interested in landfill management. However, he noted that relocation, estimated to cost US$2m, was beyond council’s current resources.
“The issue has been discussed for a long time without lasting solutions,” Coltart said. “Proper procedures will be followed in seeking partnerships, and any contracts must be in the best interest of residents.”
The landfill often catches fire, reportedly due to waste pickers, creating plumes of smoke that have blanketed parts of Cowdray Park.
Environmental experts warn that the crisis mirrors broader waste management challenges across Southern Africa. Studies show toxic chemicals and heavy metals from landfills in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Malawi have contaminated soil and water beyond World Health Organisation standards.
Unlike parts of Europe, where landfilling has been largely phased out, Southern Africa continues to rely heavily on dumping waste, with limited recycling infrastructure.
Council has said it hopes to upgrade Richmond into a modern facility and is considering long-term waste-to-energy projects, but residents remain sceptical as smoke continues to affect their daily lives.
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