Bulawayo struggles with waste management as illegal dumps multiply

Waste management remains a major challenge in Bulawayo, with refuse collection hampered by equipment shortages, illegal dumping, and community sweepers working without proper tools, city officials have said.

According to the latest Health, Housing and Education committee report, the Director of Health Services, Dr Edwin Sibanda, said street sweeping was being carried out daily in the Central Business District (CBD) and residential areas. But he admitted that heavy littering and transport shortages continued to affect service delivery.

“Eighteen clean-up campaigns were conducted by private companies, non-governmental organisations, and community members. Twenty-four waste education sessions were also carried out. Enhanced Enforcement and Compliance teams monitored sanitary lanes, dumpsites, and vending areas in the CBD. Enforcement could not be done in residential areas due to transport shortages,” said Sibanda.

On refuse collection, Sibanda said only eight to nine compactors were available daily, below the more than 20 needed.

“Challenges remained in the collection of health care waste as the truck dedicated for that purpose was grounded due to a mechanical fault. A supervisory van was assigned to cover the duties,” he added.

Councillors raised concerns over the impact on communities. Ward 1 Councillor Shepherd Sithole said some sweepers were burning rubbish due to a lack of refuse bags.

“This has a negative impact on the environment. Illegal dumpsites have developed in Luveve 5 new stands, an area that has not received the service for a long time,” he said.

Ward 2 Councillor Adrian Moyo said sweepers were expected to provide their own tools.

“Sweepers are expected to provide their own tools, protective clothing, and plastic bin liners. In my ward, a group of community sweepers covered Victoria Falls Road. Grass cutting along the road had recently exposed a lot of refuse,” he said.

Ward 10 Councillor Khalazani Ndlovu said residents in Entumbane had made their own collection arrangements, but delays created new problems.

“In other areas permanent illegal dumpsites have been established and the scavenging of recyclable materials at transfer stations has occurred,” he said.

Other councillors warned that littering had become entrenched.

“Refuse have continued to pile up. Clearing and rehabilitation of dumping areas needs to be done. A bushy area between Magwegwe North and Magwegwe West is being used as a dumpsite. I request strict enforcement of bylaws,” said Councillor Royini Sekete of Ward 13.

Ward 17 Councillor Sikhululekile Moyo said residents had set up street monitors to curb dumping.

“Scavenging at transfer stations is increasing and fouling the environment. In my ward, residents have established street monitors who patrol from 5pm to 8pm to stop illegal dumping. This has reduced the number of illegal dumps,” she said.

Environmental Committee chairperson, Councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo, expressed concern about the refuse transfer station in Nguboyenja. “Some truckers dump refuse directly at the landfill instead of transferring it to Council compactors. Monitoring is needed at all service delivery stages. Littering and illegal dumping has become a culture in the city, even spreading to highways,” she said.

Assistant Director of Health Services, Dr Khulamuzi Nyathi, said councillors would be given a list of transfer stations and that a meeting would be held with community truckers. “A remedial solution has been found for the transfer station in Ward 8 and would soon be implemented. More compactors are needed to improve service delivery,” he said.

Chamber Secretary Sikhangele Zhou called for tighter oversight. “It would be prudent to check these community trucks periodically and continue to monitor their operations. Community truckers were mandated to collect refuse at each and every household on the ward collection day once a week. Residents paid for this service,” he said.

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