Residents of Nguboyenja and Sotshangane in Bulawayo have voiced their frustration over garbage transfer between refuse collection trucks at an open space near their homes.
The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has contracted privately owned trucks to collect garbage from residential areas. These trucks offload the waste onto city council-owned trucks, which then transport it to the Ngozi Mine dumpsite.
In these areas, the garbage transfers occur at a site that doubles as a community soccer ground, directly in front of residential homes.
Thandekile Moyo, Chairperson of the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) for Ward 8, said the unpleasant odours that emanate during the refuse transfer, contribute to air pollution.
“The city council chose a space in the middle of a community, very close to people’s houses, to exchange their refuse. This has been affecting us for the past two years,” she said.
“As residents, we are not happy about this. We were not even consulted. We could have suggested a different location, one away from people’s homes. This situation has created tension between residents and the councillor, as many blame him for allowing this site, but he says he was not involved in choosing the location. We have engaged with him, and he has informed us that plans are underway to move the exchange to a different site.”
Newman Ndlovu, a former BPRA Vice Chairperson for Ward 8, criticised the lengthy transfer process, highlighting its impact on the community.
“The smell from the garbage is terrible, and residents have to endure it. Sometimes, when the site is cleaned up, it’s not done thoroughly. The remaining litter is often blown by the wind into nearby homes, leaving residents to clean up trash they didn’t create. This refuse comes from other areas within the ward, and it’s not hygienic,” he said.
“We want the council to find a new location. What frustrates us the most is that we have been raising this issue for the past two years, yet no action has been taken.”
Ward 8 Councillor Edwin Ndlovu acknowledged the residents’ concerns and stated that the council is actively working to find an alternative site for the refuse transfer.
“The matter has been brought to the council, and the cleansing department is actively seeking a new location for the refuse exchange. A bushy area near Thorngrove has been suggested, and we are waiting for the logistics to be finalised before moving the operations there,” Councillor Ndlovu said.
