By Loyd Matare
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has vowed to launch an aggressive citywide cleanliness enforcement campaign, warning that the capital will soon start “arresting dirty cars” and penalising residents who neglect basic hygiene standards.
Speaking yesterday at the signing ceremony of Memoranda of Understanding between the City of Harare, the University of Zimbabwe, the Women’s University in Africa and Arrupe Jesuit University, Mafume said the city would strictly enforce bylaws that have long been ignored.
“We are going to start putting strict adherence to bylaws.
“People thought I was joking when I said we are going to arrest dirty cars,” the mayor said.
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“You cannot come from your home wearing anything you like into the capital city.
“We are busy here looking smart, and you come here looking dirty, it doesn’t make sense, and it must not be allowed.”
Mafume, who has faced growing criticism on social media over Harare’s deteriorating sanitation, said residents must take responsibility for their own surroundings instead of blaming council for littering or unkempt properties.
“Every time I’m on Twitter, people are shouting at me and sending pictures.
“A person is messing in front of his yard, and they expect me to be responsible,” he said.
“No, no, no. If you are not committed to cleanliness, we are going to force you through the force of law.”
He emphasised that keeping the city clean requires no external funding or donor support.
“There is no investor for cleanliness. You don’t need foreign direct investment to be clean.
“You don’t need donor money to be clean. You don’t need to be rich to be clean you must just be clean,” Mafume said.
