Rumbidzai Mhlanga
Bulawayo’s Fifth Avenue along Jason Moyo Street, an area not legally designated as commercial but crowded with street vendors, is grappling with persistent waste buildup, creating health risks for vendors, shop owners, and residents.
The city has faced waste management issues for years, with inconsistent garbage collection and overflowing dumpsites reported across Bulawayo. Fifth Avenue, along Jason Moyo Street, highlights these challenges. On Tuesday, Waste Management Services private limited cleared the litter, but by Wednesday, the trash had returned, underscoring the difficulty of maintaining clean conditions in the area.
Food vendors along the street are directly affected. “We can’t escape the smell, and we worry about flies landing on our food,” said one vendor, who asked to remain anonymous. “It’s not just uncomfortable. It is dangerous. We’re selling food, but how can people trust it when the area is so filthy?” The waste attracts flies and other pests, raising concerns about food safety.
Shop owners along the street report similar problems. “The rubbish attracts rats and insects, and with this smell, people don’t even want to stop by.We’re losing business, and our health is at stake.The litter not only drives away customers but also increases the risk of contamination,” one owner said.
Residents walking through the area face hazards, too. The debris and standing water create conditions for bacteria and pathogens to thrive, potentially leading to respiratory issues, infections, and other health problems, particularly for children and the elderly.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) Gender Officer Abigail Siziba outlined the organisation’s concerns and proposed solutions.
“BPRA is concerned about the state of Fifth Avenue along Jason Moyo where there is a lot of undesignated waste disposal which is posing high health risks,” she said.
She highlighted that the high number of vendors congesting the area significantly contributes to the waste problem.
“Rampant vending causing congestion in the area is one of the major contributors to this menace. Shops are expected to have bins outside their shops, but there is no compliance on this exacerbating the rampant littering happening in the area,” she said.
She noted that BPRA seeks to educate vendors on waste disposal and urges better waste management and vending facilities from the city council.
“BPRA continues to call for awareness campaigns to educate vendors on proper waste disposal and hygiene practices. There is need for Bulawayo City Council to improve waste management infrastructure in the area by setting up more bins and regularly collecting refuse. In the long term, there is also a need to set up additional vending bays with adequate sanitary services in order to improve sanitation in market places,” noted Siziba.
Siziba also highlighted BPRA’s efforts. “As an organization we committed to contribute towards a clean city as residents have been conducting clean up campaigns and in 2024 donated waste bins in some of the CBD’s highly congested areas.We will continue to engage with BCC to advocate for immediate action as this is a ticking health time bomb. There is also a need for collaboration with other stakeholders such as the vendors, shop owners, business community, and civic society to promote awareness and compliance,” she concluded.
