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Ray Bande Senior Reporter

ZANU PF Vice President Kembo Mohadi yesterday headlined the national clean-up campaign in Mutare, stressing the need to keep the environment clean while urging law enforcement agents to clamp down on litter bugs.

There was a hive of activity nationwide yesterday as Zimbabweans took heed of President Mnangagwa’s call to keep the environment clean to ensure sustainable development.

In his address, Cde Mohadi said the electorate has no reason to entrust opposition parties with the administration of this country as they have failed to run most local authorities.

Digressing from his main speech during the National Clean-Up Day held at Chikanga Spar business centre in Mutare, Cde Mohadi said the forthcoming by-elections must reflect the reality on the ground with regards to the maladministration of local authorities by the opposition.

“In the three years that the New Dispensation has been running the country, there are a lot of tangible things that have been going on. Things that we have not been able to see in more than 30 years before the new leadership came in. We are going to have by-elections soon and the result of those by-elections must show that the electorate is mature and vigilant. Surely, we have no reason to entrust the opposition with the responsibility of running the country when they have failed to run local authorities. As a party, we intend to reach out to every household and educate the people on what the party stands for.”  Cde Mohadi urged the judiciary not to be lenient when handling cases involving environment-related crimes.

“Furthermore, I have been advised by the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry that an intense monitoring and enforcement exercise is already underway aimed at both raising awareness and prosecuting offenders. Anyone with an illegal dumpsite outside their premises is urged to clear it or risk prosecution. On that note, I encourage everyone to report to law enforcement agents anyone found throwing their litter through moving vehicle windows, dumbing waste, and littering among other such offenses,” he said.

He applauded President Mnangagwa for prioritising a clean environment.

“Among his first initiatives upon assuming duty, His Excellency the President Cde Mnangagwa declared a national clean-up day. The linkages between a clean environment and economic transformation had become apparent at the very early stages of his leadership”.

“In his foresight, His Excellency had observed that without a clean environment economic transformation would be somewhat difficult. Nobody would invest in a dirty country. A clean environment is thus the social

“Let us put in place regular waste collection systems. It is apparent for businesses and communities to understand that management of waste is central to achieving the future we all wish to have as Zimbabweans. We need to remain resolute in managing waste and promoting recycling initiatives,” said Cde Mohadi.

Several senior Government and ruling Zanu PF party officials who included Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Minister Cde Monica Mutsvangwa, Manicaland Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Nokuthula Matsikenyere, and Transport and Infrastructural Development Deputy Minister Cde Mike Madiro, who is also Manicaland Zanu PF chairman took part in the clean-up campaign.