State Media

GARBAGE is piling up in many parts of Harare, posing the risk of disease outbreaks with the city council attributing the situation to fuel shortages and the raging fire at Pomona dumpsite.

Council last week said it was working round the clock to extinguish the fire which is causing air pollution.

“We apologise to our valued customers for the incapacity to remove the garbage. We appeal for understanding and tolerance while we attend to the fire.

“Council is grateful to all stakeholders, individuals and companies that are assisting with material resources and moral support,” the local authority said in a statement.

Residents said the Pomona fire started when council was already struggling to collect garbage from communities, citing diesel shortages and the breakdown of refuse collection vehicles.

Last month, some typhoid cases were reported in Sunningdale and residents fear that if the garbage situation is not addressed, more cases of diseases could be recorded.

Harare Residents Trust director, Mr Precious Shumba, said most communities had piles of uncollected garbage.

“The car park and bus terminus at Warren Park 2 shops are filled with uncollected garbage. This is the same situation in most communities and is a major challenge.

“The city council is not collecting garbage from households and the unhealthy environment is a possible cause of disease outbreaks,” said Mr Shumba.

“The result is that most residents lose confidence and trust in the local authority and will not be motivated to pay their monthly bills, thus revenue inflows decline to dangerous levels.”

Mr Shumba said recycling garbage was the most viable option and urged residents to sort out garbage at household level. Council was supposed to stick to refuse collection schedules and inform residents when it was unable to collect the garbage.