City doubles littering fine to US$50

The City of Gweru has doubled its spot fine for littering and illegal waste dumping from US$30 to US$50 as the local authority intensifies efforts to tackle illegal dumpsites, blocked drains and mounting waste-management challenges.

The increase was approved at a full council meeting on Monday, with authorities seeking to discourage residents and businesses from disposing of waste at undesignated sites.

Gweru Mayor Martin Chivhoko said previous penalties had failed to adequately deter illegal dumping.

"The increase in the spot fine is a deliberate deterrent against littering and illegal dumping. We cannot continue to tolerate behaviour that undermines the cleanliness of the city and puts public health at risk," Chivhoko said.

"This is not about raising revenue. It is about changing behaviour. Residents, businesses and visitors must understand that keeping Gweru clean is a shared responsibility, and those who deliberately dump waste in undesignated places will have to pay for that conduct."

Council invoked Section 219 of the Urban Councils Act, which empowers local authorities to set tariffs and charges for services and other matters within their jurisdictions.

The tougher penalty comes as Gweru continues to battle illegal dumpsites and waste accumulating in undesignated areas, while blocked drainage systems have heightened environmental and public health concerns.

Council has described the enforcement campaign as a "war on litterbugs", targeting individuals and companies found illegally disposing of waste.

The local authority is also working to improve refuse collection by procuring additional waste collection vehicles.

Gweru is further implementing an Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan for 2026-2030, which seeks to move the city away from the traditional "collect and dispose" model towards a circular-economy approach.

Under the plan, council aims to reduce the proportion of waste sent to dumpsites from nearly 100 percent to 40 percent through recycling, reuse and waste prevention initiatives.

The city also plans to formalise the work of waste pickers and recyclers by giving them a structured role within the municipal waste-management system.

The latest increase follows an awareness campaign launched earlier this year, including programmes targeting schools and churches to promote responsible waste disposal.

Residents' groups have previously called on council to combine tougher enforcement with reliable refuse collection services, arguing that inadequate waste collection could contribute to illegal dumping.

The US$50 fine represents a significant tightening of enforcement as Gweru seeks to make illegal waste disposal more costly while improving cleanliness, environmental protection and public health across the city.