Bulawayo Council Pushes 1,000 Percent Litter Fine Hike, Residents Demand Fair Enforcement
Bulawayo City Council’s plan to raise littering fines by 1,000 percent has split opinion, with residents backing tougher penalties to tackle the dumping crisis but warning the hike could unfairly punish ordinary residents.
The proposal was tabled during a full council meeting, where councillors directed the Health, Housing and Education Committee, chaired by Ward 17’s Sikhululekile Moyo, to urgently review the penalties and recommend new levels.
Officials say the move is meant to restore order in a city where littering has become a daily eyesore from Mpopoma to the central business district.
At present, offenders pay between Level 1 (US$5) and Level 3 (US$30), but councillors argue these fines no longer deter repeat offenders, especially companies discarding waste with impunity.
The suggested jump to US$300 is intended to send a strong message that polluters must pay.
Environmental advocates welcomed the tougher stance. Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association director, Michael Ndiweni, said:
“It is a solid recommendation. Even the Kyoto Protocol says the polluter pays. It is your responsibility to keep the city clean. I fully support council because right now there are no effective or punitive measures for littering, especially for companies.”
Civil society leaders, however, urged moderation. Bulawayo Residents Association (BURA) chairperson, Winos Dube, said the proposed US$300 fine was too steep for the average resident:
“We do not condone littering at all. But jumping from US$30 to US$300 is too harsh. We understand the intention to deter offenders, but what about someone who accidentally drops something? Will they afford such a penalty?”
He suggested a fairer rise to around US$50.
On the ground, residents echoed support but raised fears of abuse during enforcement.
Pelanda West resident Chengeto Rwizi said: “It is good for the fines to go up, but I foresee a situation where innocent people may be accused of littering and officers demand freedom money that is far less than the real fine.
“The proposal is noble, our city must regain its status, but enforcement must be fair.”
Council says the next steps include calibrating fines to offence severity, improving public awareness, and tightening oversight to ensure fairness.
A final report is expected once the committee concludes consultations, with residents insisting that deterrence must be paired with transparent enforcement and better refuse infrastructure.
Community leaders add that better bin coverage, regular refuse collection, and targeted clean‑up drives should complement the tougher fines.
They argue that infrastructure gaps make compliance harder, particularly in high‑traffic markets and transport hubs.
Residents also call for hotlines to report illegal dumping and for penalties to be published to build public trust.
-B-Metro
