Businesses ordered to place bins at premises

GWERU City Council has directed business operators and property owners to place bins outside their premises as part of efforts to promote cleanliness in the Midlands capital.

In a public notice dated September 2, acting town clerk Livingston Churu said all refuse must be deposited in receptacles approved by council, in line with the Gweru Public Health By-laws (SI 12 of 1982), section 58(1) and (2).

"Refuse shall be deposited only in approved galvanised iron bins or other approved receptacles. Bins shall be kept properly covered with close-fitting lids at all times," Churu said.

He added that the number of bins required would be determined by the city's medical officer of health or health inspector, depending on the quantity of refuse generated.

The local authority is conducting a bin survey across the city's shopping centres to ensure compliance.
"As part of our efforts to ensure compliance, a bin survey is being conducted citywide by our health personnel. We kindly request your cooperation in this exercise," Churu said.

Residents' representatives have welcomed the directive but urged council to improve its own service delivery.

Gweru United Progressive Residents and Ratepayers Development Association executive director David Chikore said while the move was commendable, the city's waste management failures had contributed to illegal dumpsites.

"It's noble that litter should be placed where it belongs, but we also implore the city fathers to improve their refuse collection schedules," Chikore said.

Once nicknamed the City of Progress, Gweru has increasingly become blighted by uncollected garbage piling up in open spaces.

Council recently unveiled a new refuse collection timetable, with emphasis on high-density suburbs, but service delivery continues to be hampered by a shortage of collection trucks, fuel constraints, frequent breakdowns, and reckless dumping by residents.