City of Harare (CoH) has apprehended two truckers in a suspected case of illegal waste disposal.

The two truckers, who were arrested along Seke Road and Mutare Road respectively, were caught red handed while dumping industrial and garden waste on undesignated sites. CoH corporate communications manager Lesley Gwindi says, “The suspects were fined $250 each before they were asked to carry their waste to Pomona Dump site.”

Illegal dumping, which poses a health and environmental hazard, happens often in Harare. The City, in conjunction with various other organisations including Miracle Missions, Environment Africa and Zim Sunshine Group, has been cleaning up illegally disposed waste while educating residents on the effects of illegal dumping. Though this has had its successes, people continue to dump waste on undesignated sites on daily basis.

Gwindi said, “At least four commercial and industrial garbage dumpers are arrested every day on charges of illegally dumping waste on undesignated sites.”  He said this has prompted the City’s Amenities Department to run an exercise to flush out the illegal dumpers and to educate residents on the need to tip-off officials once they have notice any irregular movements related to waste dumping.

The penalty for illegal dumping ranges between $20 and $250 depending on the gravity of the situation.

Tip offs on illegal waste disposal can be reported to the City Amenities Department on 780 127 or to CoH Waste Management Department on  770 339 (Toll Free).