Gwanda relocates dumpsite

Gwanda Municipality has begun relocating its long-condemned dumpsite to a new landfill site outside the town, ending years of environmental and public health concerns for nearby residents and businesses.

The local authority officially started transferring waste to the new landfill on Monday, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to modernise waste management systems and achieve city status by 2030.

The new landfill is located approximately seven kilometres outside Gwanda and replaces a dumpsite that had been condemned more than a decade ago due to its proximity to residential areas, schools and businesses.

For years, residents living near the old site endured smoke, unpleasant odours and persistent infestations of flies, while motorists travelling along the busy Bulawayo–Beitbridge Highway were greeted by what many considered an unsightly landmark.

The relocation follows years of delays despite the landfill having been constructed between 2014 and 2017 through a partnership between the municipality and World Vision.

The project stalled for several years because the municipality lacked essential waste management equipment, including compactors, bulldozers, excavators and specialised refuse trucks required to operate the facility.

Gwanda mayor Thulani Moyo said the acquisition of the necessary machinery had finally enabled the municipality to begin operations at the new landfill.

"We have started moving waste to the new landfill. We took a long time, but finally we have done it. We now have the compactors and the yellow machines to deal with waste efficiently and this will go a long way in making our town clean," Moyo said.

He said the relocation had become unavoidable as urban development expanded around the old dumpsite.

"The old dumpsite is now surrounded by development. It is only a few metres from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic and close to residential areas, making it both a health risk and an eyesore," he said.

As part of the transition, stakeholders have been prohibited from disposing of waste at the old site, which will now be compacted and formally decommissioned.

The municipality also plans to intensify public education campaigns on waste management and recycling as part of efforts to reduce the volume of waste sent to landfill sites.

According to Moyo, these initiatives complement the province's zero-waste agenda and support Gwanda's long-term vision of becoming a clean and modern city.

The relocation aligns with Matabeleland South Province's Zero Waste Campaign, launched last year to encourage communities to reduce, reuse and recycle waste while promoting environmental sustainability.

Residents have welcomed the move, describing it as long overdue.

Many said they had lived for years under difficult conditions caused by smoke from burning waste and large numbers of flies emanating from the dumpsite.

Local business operators also expressed optimism that the relocation would improve trading conditions, particularly for businesses dealing in food products.

The old dumpsite had also attracted baboons, which frequently ventured into nearby residential areas and the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic campus in search of food, creating additional safety concerns for residents and students.

Municipal authorities believe the relocation will significantly improve environmental conditions, public health and the overall appearance of the town while helping Gwanda meet the infrastructure and environmental standards expected of a future city.

The project is expected to form a key component of the municipality's broader urban development strategy as it works towards attaining city status by 2030.