Cabinet has approved a comprehensive set of measures to address escalating solid waste management challenges across the nation, particularly in urban areas.
The measures tabled before the Cabinet by the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu were announced during a post-cabinet press briefing by Information Minister DR Jenfan Muswere on Wednesday.
“Cabinet highlights that the deplorable state of cleanliness across the country, particularly in urban areas is due to local authorities’ ineptitude and negligence in collecting and managing solid waste disposal. On its part, central Government has made interventions to redress the situation, including introduction of the National Clean Up Campaign in 2018 and declaration of a State of Disaster in Harare Metropolitan Province in 2023. An Emergency Solid Waste Management Programme is currently being implemented under the State of Disaster declaration,” said Minister Muswere
Government announced that a Statutory Instrument will be promulgated to make the National Clean Up Programme compulsory for Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Local Authorities, the business sector, vendors, retailers and manufacturers.
Local authorities are expected to adapt and localise by enacting relevant bylaws.
“Local Authorities should localize the SI by promulgation of the relevant by-laws. Funds collected by local authorities from residents for waste management will be ring-fenced in-order to ensure that the authorities do not divert the funds to other uses, with EMA supervising the usage of the funds; that deterrent fines for public littering will be introduced and enforced, and repeat offenders charged with no option of a fine but given mandatory community service,” Minister Muswere said.
He added “Road and rail authorities will be compelled to ensure that road and rail servitudes are litter-free, and to undertake regular clean ups along the servitudes and at lay-bys; Public transport vehicles that dump waste along roads shall be fined up to Level 8 with the responsible transport operator or owner also being liable; All Political Parties should be compelled to mobilise their constituents to remove their campaign materials from the environment and ensure that it is properly disposed of with the assistance of local authorities.”
In the medium-term, Minister Muswere said the government will also promote more efficient usage and disposal of plastic carrier bags and PET containers to address the challenge of plastic waste.
Long-term measures include encouraging the growth of waste recycling businesses and introducing levies to discourage the importation of materials like plastics and disposable nappies, which pose challenges for post-consumer use management.
