Uncollected refuse poses a public 'health threat' to communities in Gweru.

Harare- The Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) has raised concerns about the alarming rate of uncollected domestic refuse in Gweru and its impact on public health and the environment.

In a letter dated 7 May 2025, GRRA Executive Director, Conilia Selipiwe, expressed concern over the inconvenience and health risks associated with uncollected refuse to residents.

The letter comes as the Gweru community has gone for weeks without refuse being collected as the council cites a number of breakdowns on the refuse fleet among other issues, a situation which has left the community prone to diseases.

“The prolonged delay has led to overflowing waste on our streets, posing a serious health and environmental hazard to residents.”

“The uncollected refuse has attracted flies and rodents, emitted unpleasant odors, and created breeding grounds for diseases, “read the letter

However, Selipiwe also highlighted that refuse build may also be one of the contributing factors to the recent bed bugs outbreak, increasing public health risks.

“The refuse buildup may also be contributing to an outbreak of bed bugs (Tsikidzi), as the accumulation of organic waste attracts pests into nearby homes, further exacerbating the public health risk.” he added

Gweru councillor for ward 9 ,Nyaradzo Madzikura who is also the deputy mayor, says council was going to work and inform residents on the refuse schedule as most of the trucks were down due various mechanical faults.

“Most vehicles were down due to mechanical faults and they were being repaired. We hope most of the trucks will be back on the roads to service the community,” she said.

Meanwhile, ward 5 resident Sithembiso Mhlanga expressed frustration over the inconsistency of bins collection.

“I think the city council has forgotten their priorities or they have other important issues to deal with but this. Now we are not sure of the bins collection time tables so we end up using our own money to hire private garbage collectors, “said Mhlanga.

Residents have called on the city council to prioritise waste management and ensure refuse collection follows regular schedules, and inform the residents of any changes to mitigate the crisis.

Meanwhile, in another story, the relocation of the Gweru dump site has been ongoing for years as the council is actively working to ensure the site goes to Macfadden, which is a new site located a few kilometres along the Matobo road.

The landfill, which is on the council’s wish list,t is expected to consume millions of dollars and will come as relief to burdened woodlands residents who have been engulfed in the toxic and hazardous environment of the woodlands landfill for years.