BY SAMUEL NJINGA IN MASVINGO.
The Masvingo City Council faces mounting pressure from residents and civic groups to immediately relocate the long-standing dumpsite in Victoria Ranch to a 10-hectare landfill acquired in 2019 at Cambria Farm, located on the city’s western outskirts. Concerned residents, represented by the Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA), cite health risks, environmental degradation, and climate change as urgent reasons for the move.
According to MURRA Spokesperson Godfrey Mutimba, the council’s inaction has endangered residents, particularly as smoke from the open-air dumpsite increasingly impacts the community. “We urge the council to act in the best interest of the people, who are suffering due to prolonged exposure to toxic waste. It’s time for the city leadership to be honest and prioritize the welfare of the people,” said Mutimba. His statement comes amid criticism of the council’s earlier invitation to Vice President Kembo Mohadi, who officially inaugurated the Cambria Farm landfill years ago under the claim that it was operational.
Despite the official opening, residents are frustrated that the Victoria Ranch dumpsite remains active. Last week, the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) petitioned the city council, emphasising the adverse effects the dumpsite has on local communities, especially women and children due to its close proximity to homes. In their petition, WCoZ highlighted that the council’s negligence is hindering progress on the government’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Masvingo Mayor has assured residents that the old dumpsite will be decommissioned early next year. However, he noted that delays in relocating waste have stemmed from a lack of necessary equipment, such as compactors, to manage the new landfill effectively. “We are working toward a resolution and will put measures in place to prevent illegal waste-dumping activities,” he added.
In September 2024, a report from the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) found that Masvingo City Council’s actions were in violation of environmental human rights and administrative justice. The commission urged the council to uphold its duty to protect residents from hazardous waste exposure and fulfill its obligations under national and international standards.
As pressure mounts, residents and advocacy groups are calling for immediate and decisive action to alleviate the risks posed by the Victoria Ranch dumpsite, voicing concerns that inaction will only worsen the city’s environmental and public health challenges.