US$5K fine for litter bugs

The City of Mutare is set to impose a hefty US$5,000 fine on anyone caught littering in undesignated areas, according to new by-laws currently being drafted by the local authority, The Manica Post has established.

By-laws, which are localized regulations governing council areas on matters such as land use, waste management, and public health, are periodically reviewed to address changing community needs and legal requirements. Mutare City Council is in the process of updating its by-laws through public consultations, with the process expected to conclude by the end of this month.

The draft by-laws, specifically under the Anti-Litter section, stipulate strict penalties for various offenses. Depositing litter in any public place outside designated areas will attract the highest fine of US$5,000. Other fines include US$20 for failing to provide adequate waste bins around business premises, US$20 for sweeping waste into gutters or road culverts, and US$100 for abandoning litter in public spaces. The by-laws also address interference with public litter receptacles and non-compliance with authorized officers' instructions.

The proposed definition of litter is broad, covering any discarded solid, liquid, or gaseous substance including paper, plastics, glass, metals, garden waste, dead animals, and other offensive or untidy materials.

Mutare City Council Town Clerk, Mr. Blessing Chafesuka, emphasized the importance of stakeholder input during the consultation phase. "The proposals outlined in the document are subject to approval by Mutare residents and ratepayers. We encourage all stakeholders to participate in the ongoing consultation process, as the finalised document will have far-reaching implications for everyone in Mutare," he said.

The draft by-laws also cover the management of abandoned vehicles, specifying that vehicles left in open or roadside areas without council consent can be towed after 48 hours. Owners will be liable for towing and storage fees, with light vehicles attracting fees of US$61.93 for towing and US$20 per day for storage, and heavy vehicles US$500 and US$50 per day, respectively. If unclaimed after 60 days, abandoned vehicles may be auctioned to recover costs.

The comprehensive draft by-laws span 22 sections, addressing areas such as Abandoned Vehicles, Anti-Litter, Control of Livestock, Cemetery regulations, Fire and Food Hygiene, Noise control, Urban Agriculture, and Water, Drainage and Sewerage management.

Residents and ratepayers are invited to submit feedback in hard copy to the Town Clerk's office at the Civic Centre.

Local stakeholders have expressed mixed reactions. United Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Trust programmes director, Mr. Edmore Dube, welcomed the stricter fines, noting that previous by-laws were outdated and insufficient to curb rampant littering. "Corporate entities are among the biggest polluters, and stronger measures are needed to ensure a clean environment, which is a constitutional right," he said.

Conversely, Zimbabwe National Organisation of Association of Residents Trust provincial chairman, Mr. Rodreck Chasauka, criticized the consultation process, calling it inadequate and lacking sufficient outreach. "Many residents remain unaware of the by-laws because advertisements were limited and the documents are only available in English, omitting local languages," he said. He urged the council to relaunch awareness campaigns and allow more time for public scrutiny.

Residents also shared differing views. Chikanga suburb resident Mr. Obert Dhliwayo supported the update but lamented low community participation in consultations. Meanwhile, a Dangamvura resident, Mr. Munyaradzi Hove, said he was unaware of the ongoing by-laws review.

As the consultation period nears its end, the Mutare City Council is urging all community members to engage in shaping regulations that will impact the city's cleanliness, public health, and environmental management in the years ahead.