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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
MASVINGO City Council has bemoaned the blocking of sanitary lanes by some residents who are causing pollution of the environment. Sanitary lanes are designed to provide leeway for service vehicles such as delivery and garbage collection trucks, but the situation in most high-density residential areas in Masvingo has become an eyesore. Masvingo City chief engineer Tawanda Gozo said the sanitary lanes need to be opened within the commonage and affected residents have been notified.

“We have a problem within many residential areas as some residents have blocked sanitary lanes. This is causing serious pollution in the commonage and makes the movement of refuse collection trucks difficult,” Eng Gozo said. He said residents affected have been given a grace period to attend to the sanitary lanes and make sure that they are opened before the onset of the rainy season. The engineer also accused residents of dumping waste in sanitary lanes urging them to utilise refuse bins provided by the local authority.

“We have written to affected households to help in the clearing of sanitary lanes. We have given them a grace period of 30 days, but period has since elapsed.

“A total of 38 households have been advised. Some have reopened, but there are some who have not yet done so and we will make a follow up as council,” he said. Environmental Management Agency provincial manager Mr Robson Mavondo said the blocking of sanitary lanes causes pollution. He said those found blocking sanitary lanes through disposing of litter stand to be prosecuted as it is a punishable offense.

“We have some unscrupulous residents who deliberately block sanitary lanes, may it be in the city centre or residential areas. This causes a lot of pollution, he said.