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Nyore Madzianike Manicaland Bureau
Mutare City Council has acknowledged blundering by disbanding the malaria control section, a council department, which was responsible for spraying mosquitoes and managing the spread of the disease.

Town Clerk Mr Joshua Maligwa made the revelation on Monday during a full council meeting after councillors raised concerns over the manner in which the malaria control programme was being handled.

Mutare council in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Child Care has been undertaking a malaria control programme in the city’s suburbs since last year.

“We made a blunder by disbanding the malaria control section,” he said.

Mr Maligwa said council was planning to employ people who will be responsible for spraying mosquitoes in Mutare.

“The council wanted to employ about 25 people, but could not do anything since we need approval from the ministry when employing people for a period of more than six months.

“But I would like to assure you that by the end of this week we would have employed people for malaria control,” he said.

Council’s acting director of health services Mr Mathew Dukwa had a torrid time during the meeting as he failed to explain how the malaria control programme was being handled.

Quizzed by other councillors on the areas that have been sprayed, Mr Dukwa said: “We have sprayed in Fern Valley, Florida Extension, Dangamvura and some areas. We also intend to spray in some areas and I think we will be able to complete by the end of this month.”

On the issue of failure to collect garbage in the city centre at night as was being done by other local authorities, Mr Dukwa said it was not possible as this would result in “over usage” of the two running refuse trucks being used by council.

“The dumpsite will be also closed during the night. The type of trucks that we use makes in very difficult to work during dark hours,” he said.

Mutare council recently rolled out a joint spraying programme with the Ministry of Health and Child Care where they were targeting to spray in Fern Valley, Florida, Mushamukadzi, Hob House, Chikanga and Weymouth.