By Richard Mukwenya
Masvingo City Ward 5 residents have raised concern over theft of bin liners in their ward resulting in an unclean and polluted environment posing health risks in the communities.
Speaking during a feedback meeting organized by TellZim News on February 26 at Building Brigade Community Hall, one resident and local health club member Shylet Kaunga said they were troubled by thieves who stole bin liners they used to keep refuse before collection.
She said they would empty the refuse down and take the plastic bags for sell and leaving waste scattered again polluting the environment. She appealed to council to collect the refuse on the scheduled time.
“As ward 5 health club we sweep and keep the waste in the bin liners on Wednesdays and Fridays but the refuse trucks come to collect them only on Saturday. As a result, thieves open and scatter the waste on the ground and take the bin liners.
“We are requesting council to assist us by ensuring refuse trucks come to pick them up on the days we clean to spare us doing a double job,” said Kaunga.
Ward 5 councilor and Deputy Mayor Daniel Mberikunashe said the local authority had bought a new refuse truck to improve refuse collection in the wards so they would improve collection.
“You requested for a refuse truck which is noble and we purchased one more truck and an ambulance. So I urge you to communicate with the Environmental Health Technician (EHT) so that the issue can be resolved and avoid bin liner theft and waste disposals,” said Mberikunashe.
He also urged the residents to keep the environment clean and asked the health club and other residents to report those who fail to comply as well as those who steal bin liners.
