Chitown litter bugs face US$30 fine

Zim Now Writer

In an effort to stem the development of dumpsites around the town, Chitungwiza Municipality has started enforcing a by-law, compelling litterbugs to pay a US$30 fine.

This comes as the local authority seeks to restore cleanliness in the dormitory town in the wake of rising cholera cases across the country.

“We want waste management to be a daily habit for a litter-free Chitungwiza. We can be condemned because of other things but we don’t want waste in the town,” acting town clerk Evangelista Machona said during a national clean-up campaign held at Makoni Shopping Centre last week.

“Everyone should play a role. We no longer want dumpsites or garbage everywhere. We don’t want cholera. Sometimes we (residents) are responsible for the cholera outbreak because of poor waste management.

Chitungwiza Municipality spokesperson Lovemore Meya said the US$30 anti-littering fine threshold falls under level 3 as spelt out in the Environmental Management Act Sec 83.

Residents in turn have blamed the Municipality over its failure to collect refuse timely, resulting in rubbish dumps sprouting up everywhere.

Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association secretary Brighton Mazhindu said:

“Council is failing to provide bins at all the shopping centres in the town but continues to charge for refuse collection. All shopping centres are in a mess because the council is not providing bins,” Mazhindu said.

Chitungwiza Progressive Residents Association secretary-general, Gift Kurupati, weighed in saying the management has no clue on how to turn around Chitungwiza to greater heights, adding that as residents, they want to see action.