By Munyaradzi Doma
Fuel shortages currently being experienced in the country have crippled Harare City Council’s refuse collection programme, posing serious health risks as garbage remains uncollected.
This comes at a time city fathers revealed in their 2020 budget that they will increase refuse collection fees effective January.
Once a week refuse collection for high density suburbs will be ZW$28 up from ZW$24 while low density residents will pay ZW$42 up from ZW$36.
“The City of Harare wishes to advise it’s valued residents and stakeholders that since Monday 25 November, refuse collection and Pomona Dumpsite operations were brought to a halt due to unavailability of diesel in the country.
“The problem has also affected our partner Clean City with whom we are actively working to find a permanent solution.
“Residents are therefore urged to separate organic and non organic refuse. “Bio degradable waste can be used to make manure and compost for gardening. This will minimize the amount of waste collected.
“Normal services will resume as soon as our joint solution with our partner Clean City is finalized in the next 48 hours,” read a statement from the council.
In order to deal with waste management challenges, it was revealed that Harare will buy spare parts to repair broken down fleet as well procure more refuse trucks.
“Inadequate spares for refuse trucks affect turnaround time. The spares should be adequately provided for by having the spares in stock.
“Concerted efforts should also be made to facilitate delivery of 15 outstanding trucks to enhance fleet availability,” said Finance and Development Committee Chairperson Councillor Luckson Mukunguma
