Call for tough littering laws

TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO

The permanent secretary  for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Bulawayo, Paul Nyoni, has called for tougher  laws to deter people from littering the streets which has led to blocked drains. Nyoni, who spoke at the recent clean-up campaign at Centenary Park in Bulawayo, said lax enforcement has fuelled littering.

Bulawayo was last week hit by flooding as drainage systems  were blocked.

“…when one drives into South Africa you observe the rules on littering. But you cross into Zimbabwe, people stop. So, the difference is enforcement,” Nyoni said.

He added: “There was a storm on Thursday (last week) in Bulawayo and a lot of roads were flooded. Part of the reason is this littering, where people block their own drainages. Even if the city council unblocks it, it’s a continuous circle. People continue to litter; roads are flooded and we are saying to the public this is not what we need.”

EMA Bulawayo provincial environmental manager Sithembisiwe Ndlovu applauded businesses for taking part in the clean-up campaigns, urging residents to join in.

“Yes we might have a waste collection challenge for now but it is also our responsibility to ensure that our places are always clean,” she said.

Ndlovu said the Covid-19 pandemic affected the clean-up campaign.