Takudzwa Changadeya
HARARE: Uncollected garbage piling up in capital Harare’s Mbare Musika area is sparking outrage among residents and families who are still mourning their loved one who succumbed to cholera.
In a letter to the Harare City Council, Chikuni Associates, representing Shyline Chatambudza and her family, demanded immediate action, citing the death of Shyline’s mother, Juliet Chatambudza, who succumbed to cholera on January 3, 2024.
The letter, seen by this publication, alleges her death was caused by prolonged exposure to a mounting refuse dump that remains a public health crisis.
The late Juliet once filed a case against the Harare City Council in 2022, Case Number 3507/22, petitioning the council to fulfill their duty of removing garbage near her home.
“The worms and maggots she warned about two years ago are now a daily reality for all of us. We pay our fees; we deserve dignity,” reads part of the warning letter.
Shyline says she and her family, who have all suffered illness due to the filth and the fear they too could succumb to diseases that emanate from a dirty environment.
“Neglecting their statutory obligations shows a disregard for human life. It’s dehumanizing,” the letter further reads.
Other residents in Mbare are also frustrated by council’s apparent inaction.
“Our environment is a nightmare. Every day we see the garbage pile grow closer to our doorsteps. It’s a ticking time bomb, and our cries for help are met with silence,” said one resident Stalle Mudzagada.
Another resident, Tanyarwadza Runhare, voiced similar concerns.
“The council has abandoned us. They collect fees but ignore our basic needs. People are dying, and it seems like they don’t care. We are fed up,” Runhare added.
This isn’t the first time Harare’s waste management issues have come under fire.
Amid outbreaks of waterborne diseases, residents argue that the city’s negligence poses severe health risks, particularly as the refuse pile encroaches on roads and residential areas, making day-to day life unbearable.
The Harare City Council is yet to issue a response regarding the matter.
The Chikuni Associates have now warned the council that if they fail to act urgently, they ‘hold instructions to institute legal proceedings on an urgent basis to protect our client’s rights to dignity, health and life.’
Recently, Reuben Akili, executive director of the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA), stressed the need to decentralize waste management for greater efficiency and environmental impact.
“The current centralized approach, where all waste is collected and taken to Pomona, is ineffective.
“We are advocating for a decentralized system that enables waste management at the community level. This approach promotes better waste practices and empowers local communities,” Akili stated.
