Bulawayo residents call for mosquito control

As the rainy season brings increased mosquito activity to the city, residents are urging the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to prioritize mosquito control efforts. The rising number of mosquitoes, compounded by stagnant water and unpleasant smells from nearby rivers, is becoming a growing concern for many neighborhoods.

In Northend Suburb, residents have raised alarm over the significant mosquito problem, particularly along Long Road and Yeatman Street, where a foul smell from a nearby river—believed to be Mazayi River—is attracting even more mosquitoes. "Mosquitoes are giving us a problem here along Long Road and Yeatman in Northend. There is a foul smell coming from the river next to the bridge, maybe it's Mazayi River. That smell is also attracting mosquitoes. It's a double-edged sword. When will mosquito control start?" one concerned resident asked.

Ward 2 Councillor, Rendani Moyo, responded to residents' concerns, assuring them that the BCC's pest control team had been notified. "The team from pest control has been notified," Moyo said. Additionally, the councillor mentioned that a meeting with the Health Housing and Education Committee was scheduled for Tuesday, during which the Director of Health Services would give a report on the situation. Moyo also confirmed that the council had already initiated "larviciding," a process in which breeding sites are treated with fenitrothion to reduce mosquito populations.

However, residents say the response has not been enough to address the widespread issue. "Mosquitoes are everywhere in Bulawayo," stated Mr. Dubley, a local resident from Ward 2. The growing frustration is shared by other residents, some of whom are calling for more effective solutions like aerial spraying. One resident argued that such measures would have a more lasting impact. "Bulawayo needs aerial spraying. The teams should go to all the houses and spray the whole town. That's how they can defeat the mosquitoes for a few years," she said.

The calls for better mosquito control have not been limited to Northend, as other areas such as Richmond have also voiced similar concerns. A resident from Richmond said, "Richmond has been neglected for so many years, the size and number of mosquitoes is frightening. We are in desperate need of pest control."

Residents' frustration is further amplified by the rising service charges imposed by the city council, which they feel are not being matched by improvements in service delivery. Helmand Shoko, a local resident, criticized the council's financial management, stating, "The service charges are being channelled to the wrong course. We used to pay affordable, reasonable, and realistic charges with excellent results. Now, there are unrealistic service charges versus nonexistent or piecemeal services."

With the rainy season now in full swing, residents are increasingly calling on the city council to take urgent and effective action to address the mosquito problem, which is not only a health concern but also a growing frustration among the city's population.