Drive to clean-up Gwanda

By Mvelo Mthiyane Zondo

THE Municipality of Gwanda will next week launch a “massive” spring clean -up exercise to rid the town of accumulating waste.

In a notice, the local authority said that it was worried about the level of dirt in the small mining town.

“The local authority has noted with great concern the accumulation of cars, waste and car shells at various residential properties, thereby contravening the Public Health Act (15:09) section 83.

“The disused cars, cars shells and other forms of waste in residential properties have become breeding grounds for rodents and possibly reptiles such as snakes which put people’s lives at risk,” reads part of the statement.

Through the same statement, the Town Clerk, Priscilla Nkala, went on to say:
“Residents at said properties are therefore advised to clear the said material by February 20, 2024, failure of which, council will be left with no option but to tow away the cars and other materials.

Costs and penalties incurred by council shall be fully paid by the owner/s of the said property.”
Before this notice the council had ordered owners in the central business district (CBD) to spruce up their buildings.

Previously, the council had ordered owners of dilapidated buildings in the CBD to renovate their properties before end of 2023 or face unspecified action.

Gwanda Residents’ Association Information and Publicity Officer, Molvin Dube, concurred with the town clerk saying for any town to attract investors it has to be smart.

“As residents we want our town to be smart and clean at all times. If you check along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge highway, there are so many cars which are lying idle. Some are more than two years and besides being an eyesore they also pose danger to other motorists and residents.”

“Besides, cars and scrap in towns, street vending is another worrisome issue that needs to be dealt with.

“Some shops are taking their wares from inside and displaying them outside, thereby blocking pavements. Previously, we used to enjoy window shopping but now you cannot do that,” said Dube.

Turning to residential areas, Dube said some of the scrap cars have been lying idle for the past 10 to 15 years, thereby leaving no hope of reviving them.

“Some of these cars in residential areas are hopeless, hence as residents’ association we welcome council’s move. There are car breakers here in Gwanda so the owners can approach them and sell these old cars,” he suggested.