GOVERNMENT has stepped up efforts to address Zimbabwe’s solid waste and environmental challenges to create a cleaner, greener and more livable urban landscape for its citizens.
In 2023, President Emmerson Mnangagwa enacted Statutory Instrument 140 of 2023 in response to the solid waste situation.
The government has since came up Operation Chinesa Harare to complement the efforts.
Speaking during the launch of the Own Your Doorstep campaign in Harare on Friday last week, Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Charles Tavengwa said it was a constitutional right for all Zimbabweans to have a clean and safe environment under the country’s Constitution.
“I hope and pray that the launch of the Own Your Doorstep initiative will engender an awakening of belonging. The Constitution of Zimbabwe under Chapter 4 Part 2: section 73 explicitly speaks to the right to a clean and safe environment for all Zimbabweans. What we are doing here is provided for in the mother law,” he said.
“Several initiatives have been set in motion since the launch of the National Clean Up campaign in 2018 by the President, which is held every first Friday of the month. In 2023 the President published SI 140 of 2023 in response to the solid waste situation. Thereafter came Operation Chenesa 1 in January 2024 followed by Chenesa Chapter 2 launched in June. All these efforts were [well] meant.”
Tavengwa said the government had no intention to abandon the Harare central business district and called for a collective effort among government, business, industry, commerce and individuals to improve the ambience of the city.
Acting Harare mayor Womberaishe Nhende said the initiative was aimed at revitalising the city by tackling urban decay and creating spaces for investment.
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“We thank you very much for this initiative. For it will be able to ensure that we improve the physical, social and economic environment of our city.
“It also has the ability to boost the economy because once that status has been changed, once we have realigned and recalibrated our actions towards the rejuvenation of the city, we will be able to attract new businesses and improve property values in the City of Harare.
“It will also be able to address the urban decay that we have seen. There is so much proliferation of decay in the City of Harare, collaborative efforts in the rejuvenation of our city will help mitigate urban decay and associated problems.”
