Suburban
THREE weeks after Operation Chenesa Harare was launched, more trash has accumulated in most parts of Harare than before the campaign.
Harare City Council launched the campaign to improve waste management through making residents active role players in cleaning their communities.
During the launch, Mayor Jacob Mafume said municipal police would strictly enforce anti-litter by-laws.
But there has been no visible enforcement in virtually every part of Harare except for those commanding traffic.
Most suburbs continue facing challenges associated with waste management and residents believe the council is sleeping on duty.
Council spokesperson Mr Innocent Ruwende indicated during the launch that each district would be assigned US$1 000 per week for the community-based waste management programme.
A tour around the central business district showed it is still a long way to go before the heaps of garbage are cleared.
The Simon Muzenda bus terminus, Copacabana, Charge Office and Market Square still resemble dump-sites.
Mr Ruwende told H-Metro that the campaign would continue until the city was clean.
“We continue to call on residents to assist us in the fight against littering and refuse collection.
“I believe that the campaign has served its purpose since its inception.
“The campaign is not only for the council, but we call on residents, companies and non-governmental organisations to chip in so that it becomes successful.”
He said they had received tremendous support from some suburbs, such as Sunningdale and Borrowdale with residents providing free labour to clean up their areas.
“Residents from other suburbs are slowly coming to help us in the campaign. Residents do not react at the same pace,” he said. – H-Metro
