The City of Harare has taken a hardline stance as it intensifies fumigation across Mbare’s most affected blocks, warning that residents who obstruct spraying teams will face consequences “without any further warning.”
The move marks a tough follow-up to last week’s revelations of a resurging tsikidzi outbreak, which the city says has re-infested Nenyere, Matererini, Matapi, Shawasha and surrounding flats.
In its latest update, the City of Harare (CoH) said health teams are now in full force, moving door-to-door with industrial sprayers in a bid to halt the fast-spreading pest problem.
ALSO READ: Mbare Flats Hit by Another Bedbug Outbreak
“Failure to grant access to spraying teams increases the risk of continued infestation and re-infestation of neighbouring rooms and blocks.
“Appropriate action will be taken on non-compliant residents, without any further warning,” CoH warned.
According to the city, the fumigation blitz running from 19 February 2026 (yesterday) is a targeted chemical programme aimed at containing the renewed spread of bedbugs after last year’s eradication campaign.
The city stressed that while its health teams are carrying out the heavy spraying work, residents must play their part: washing bedding, removing clutter, opening up rooms, and ensuring full access to all corners of their homes.
“The operation aims to protect public health and prevent further spread,” the statement added, urging residents to report sightings and adhere to all preventative measures.
The fumigation teams are expected to remain on the ground across Mbare in the coming days as authorities push for complete access block by block, room by room in their strongest crackdown to date.
