Zimbabwe to Adopt Culture of Cleanliness
By Dumisani Ndlovu
Harare-Local Government and Public Works Minister, Daniel Garwe, has announced that Zimbabwe will soon adopt a culture of cleanliness, where littering and illegal dumping will result in arrests and heavy fines.
Speaking at the launch of Operation Chenesa Harare Phase 2 (OCHP 2), Minister Garwe said, “In the next few months, we will be arresting all those who throw litter on the roads. It will be a criminal offense, resulting in arrest and heavy fines. In other countries like Singapore, China, and Russia, it is a serious criminal offense to throw even a small piece of paper on the ground, and you can be fined up to US$500 for that. We want to implement the same here.”
Minister Garwe also castigated the Harare City Council for charging residents for refuse collection yet failing to provide the service, which he deemed unfair to ratepayers. He directed the city council to provide services, emphasizing that this would help eliminate diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, and encourage residents to pay their bills regularly.
The launch of Operation Chenesa Harare Phase 2 is an initiative supporting President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call to address waste management challenges in urban centers. The three-month program aims to showcase Harare’s readiness to host the 44th Heads of State and Government Summit later this year. Minister Garwe emphasized that a clean and well-maintained urban environment is essential for attracting investors and showcasing the country’s openness for business.
