Complaints of dumpsites increase in Harare’s high-density areas

Diana Nherera Suburban Reporter

The City of Harare is increasingly receiving complaints of dumpsites from residents in high density suburbs although there has been a reported decrease in complaints regarding dumpsites in low-density suburbs, attributed to the acquisition of five new refuse compactors.

A recent council meeting heard that the the situation is worsening in high-density areas, where complaints are on the rise.

At the full council meeting held last week, Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume expressed concern over the increasing number of dumpsites that threaten to overwhelm the city, particularly in high-density neighbourhoods.

“In the low-density suburbs, we have made significant progress thanks to dedicated trucks deployed in those areas. As a result, we are receiving fewer complaints. Unfortunately, the opposite is true for the high-density suburbs,” he stated.

Cllr Mafume emphasised the urgent need for action, saying, “We need the skip trucks operational and must expedite community procurement to secure an exemption. This will allow us to conduct a blitz this December to alleviate the litter that is accumulating and relieve our residents.”

In addition to waste management, Cllr Mafume addressed concerns about water distribution.

He urged the city’s water distribution manager, Engineer Tapiwa Kunyadini, to ensure that the water purification chemicals procurement plan is thorough and effective.

He noted, “There is a letter that should have been sent to the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) regarding the Memorandum we entered into with Acumen. I noticed that chlorine dioxide is missing from your 2025 procurement plan. This is a vital component that we have included annually.”

In response, Eng Kunyadini assured the council meeting that his department was actively working on the procurement plan.

“We are focused on finalising the procurement plan today,” he confirmed.

The council’s commitment to addressing these critical issues highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Harare as it strives to improve living conditions for its residents.