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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
Residents here are up in arms with Masvingo City Council over delays in the decommissioning of a dumpsite in Runyararo West suburb amid fears the land fill was a ticking time bomb. The dumpsite is among other things blamed for spiralling pollution in the suburb that is now plagued by flies and engulfed by smoke from burning garbage.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has since raised alarm over the situation and ordered council to urgently address the problem.

A Runyararo West resident Ms Alice Phiri said it was frustrating that nothing was being done to address the problem of the dumpsite.

She said the suburb was now virtually unfit for human habitation because of pollution from the dumpsite.
“We are now tired of empty promises over the issue of the dumpsite, which is causing health problems in our suburb like diarrhoea.

“Council promised to close the dumpsite in 2016, but up to now nothing has been done,” said Ms Phiri.
Community Working Group on Health provincial chair, Mrs Entrance Takaidza said the dumpsite was a serious health threat and appealed to council to take the matter seriously.

The city chief environmental health officer Mr Zvapano Munganasa said council was seized with the matter and had secured land for a new dumpsite, away from residential areas.
“We have a challenge on waste management as a city due to shortage of equipment.

“I do agree that the decommissioning of Runyararo West dumpsite is long overdue,” he said.
EMA Education and Advocacy manager, Mr Steady Kangata, however, said dumps were outlawed and municipalities were given time to close them and move on to waste management systems that were environmentally friendly.