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| Masvingo Mayor Collen Maboke |
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Matsongoni
Matsongoni
The Masvingo City Council has literally told residents
to co-exist with garbage as it says its refuse collection compactors have been
grounded due to the unaffordability of fuel which has now reached souring
levels of about $18 per litre against the budgeted $1.50.
to co-exist with garbage as it says its refuse collection compactors have been
grounded due to the unaffordability of fuel which has now reached souring
levels of about $18 per litre against the budgeted $1.50.
In an interview with TellZim News soon after the
presentation of the 2020 city budget, Finance Committee chairperson Babylon
Beta said the city council is no longer able to buy fuel because it has gone
beyond their reach.
presentation of the 2020 city budget, Finance Committee chairperson Babylon
Beta said the city council is no longer able to buy fuel because it has gone
beyond their reach.
He said the council had a budgeted allocation of $1.50
per litre of fuel but the current prices have made it difficult for the council
to operate.
per litre of fuel but the current prices have made it difficult for the council
to operate.
“We know the situation is critical because we are
unable to collect refuse in most residential areas. Many areas have gone for
close to a month without having their refuse collected and this is because we
cannot afford to new fuel prices.
unable to collect refuse in most residential areas. Many areas have gone for
close to a month without having their refuse collected and this is because we
cannot afford to new fuel prices.
“The little fuel we are able to get we prioritise the
city centre. The council is in the process of acquiring two more refuse
compactors because the existing ones have seen better days and are always
breaking down,” said Beta.
city centre. The council is in the process of acquiring two more refuse
compactors because the existing ones have seen better days and are always
breaking down,” said Beta.
Beta said they tried to address the fuel challenges in
the supplementary budget but it was only approved in October so the tariff
changes will only take effect starting November.
the supplementary budget but it was only approved in October so the tariff
changes will only take effect starting November.
“The supplementary budget was going to address all the
challenges which the council is facing at the moment because there were some
tariff adjustments but it took time to be approved. Now that it has been
improved, the changes will start taking effect in November,” said Beta.
challenges which the council is facing at the moment because there were some
tariff adjustments but it took time to be approved. Now that it has been
improved, the changes will start taking effect in November,” said Beta.
Residents have since threatened to take their bins to
the council offices and dump them there as a way of protesting against the
collapsing service delivery.
the council offices and dump them there as a way of protesting against the
collapsing service delivery.
Some people have already started emptying their bins
on open spaces creating another crisis which would need the council to
intervene.
on open spaces creating another crisis which would need the council to
intervene.
