A top EMA official has advised the public that littering and rubbish disposal are still serious violations.
John Cassim
Harare, Zimbabwe (CZ) – Following the recent acquisition of waste management powers, Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Agency (EMA) is inviting citizens of the Harare Metropolitan Province to report any unlawful garbage dumps and non-collection of rubbish in residential and industrial areas.
The Zimbabwean President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, recently proclaimed a State of Disaster on Emergency Solid Waste Management in the Harare Metropolitan Province via Statutory Instrument 140 of 2023.
Mnangagwa declared the situation of Disaster in response to “the deplorable state of solid waste management in the four (4) local authorities of Harare Metropolitan Province, namely, Epworth, Ruwa, Chitungwiza, and Harare.”
For the purposes of this Declaration, the Minister of Local Government conferred his powers upon the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry for the implementation of emergency solid waste management in the Harare Metropolitan Province.
This authorised the Minister of Environment, Climate, and Tourism to confer upon EMA the powers or duty to ensure emergency solid waste management is undertaken efficiently during the period that this Declaration is in force.
“According to the declaration, the Agency has the oversight role of coordinating the implementation of remedial works as enshrined in the mentioned instrument.
Included in the remedial works is the removal of all illegal waste dumps and the establishment of sustainable mechanisms to maintain cleanliness thereafter.
The implementation of the proposed remedial works calls for inclusive participation and involvement of all sectors and stakeholders, especially the residents of all the local authorities in the affected Province,” said Amkela Sidange, Environmental Education and Publicity Manager-EMA.
EMA has called upon residents to desist from littering and illegal dumping of waste.
A call has also been made for residents to organize themselves into groups and clean their immediate surroundings, and to always notify EMA of these clean-up activities so as to facilitate the collection of waste after cleaning.
“The public is reminded that littering and dumping of waste remain punishable offenses according to the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27), and all those found violating this law would be prosecuted.
A clean, safe, and healthy environment is everyone’s responsibility. Together we can retain the Sunshine Status of Harare and that of a Clean Zimbabwe—play your part,” Amkela added.
