Lisa Mlambo
Chiredzi Town Council in partnership with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) embarked on a massive three-day clean-up exercise that saw the clearing of illegal dumpsites in Chiredzi that had mushroomed all over.
The campaign was initiated by the local authority in an effort to raise awareness in the community about safe disposal of waste.
On October 7, 2021, teams comprising council officials and workers, EMA and the public cleared and cleaned Wards 3 and 8 before cleaning Wards 5 and 6.
Three wards, which are Wards 1, 2 and 8 were set for Friday October 8.
The local authority said they wanted to send a message to the public that they have to keep their environment clean saying it is not only council’s duty to manage waste as waste management starts at household level.
Speaking to TellZim News after the Thursday cleanup, Chiredzi Town Council Chairperson Gibson Hwende said they were sending a message to the community to ensure that they always keep their surroundings clean.
“The clean-up exercise is meant to sensitize residents about keeping a clean environment and to ensure it helps in combating some diseases. Residents and council should combine efforts to make sure that we have a clean Chiredzi not only for our benefit but also for the future generations “said Hwende.
He said council will continue monitoring to make sure that residents always maintain the set standards until it becomes a habit.
“We are going to ensure that there is continuous monitoring, we will use Health clubs to maintain cleanliness. As council we shall continue partnering EMA and clean-up exercises regularly,” said Hwende.
Chiredzi Acting Town Secretary Engineer Wesley Kauma said they will resuscitate health clubs which he said come in handy in making the town clean.
He went on to say the waste everywhere in Chiredzi is a health threat that may add up to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to manage waste. The waste does not belong to council alone but to us all, so it is our collective responsibility to manage it,” said Kauma.
Kauma who recently took over from Charles Muchatukwa who passed on last month seems to have hit the ground running after he said sanitation and proper waste management are top priorities in his office.
“We need to acquire another refuse compactor as the town has grown too big for one truck. Our aim is to collect 100% waste generated at every household in Chiredzi town,” he said.
