Zimbabwe Declaires War on Bedbugs in Harare’s High-Density Surbubs

Photo Credit: DailyNews

By Regina Pasipanodya

Harare, — In a bold move to tackle a growing public health crisis, the Government of Zimbabwe has launched ‘Operation Harare Hygiene Blitz’, a comprehensive campaign aimed at eradicating bedbug infestations in Mbare and other high-density suburbs.

The program, introduced at Matererini Open Ground, is an event of great importance as it is the initial stage of the promotion of public health and authorities’ efforts to bring dignity back to masses of people.

During these difficult times, MASKING is an initiative that needs to be practiced at all times to keep any pandemic at bay. It is of absolute nature that the fumigation is done in a number of districts yet specifically the communities that have the greatest concern about a rising number of insects, those being Mbare, Matapi, Nenyere, Shawasha, Mbare Flats, Kuwadzana, Glenview, and Mbare Terminus buses.

The whole process will result in about 5,470 rooms in 56 flats being disinfected using non-toxic chemicals with the help of fogging machines and Hudson sprayers. The private sector has invested a lot of money in the operation.

Companies such as Masimba Holdings and Geo Pomona (Pvt) Ltd are the leading ones among the stakeholders who have made it the responsibility of fumigation teams, each their PPE, and Zimbabwe Republic Police, in turn, have given their word to owners that no restriction will be laid upon them.

Minister’s Mandate and Vision 2030

Hon. D. Garwe, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, underlined that the operation was, in fact, a matter of life and death.

The Minister emphasized, “This operation echoes the national health vision of 2030. The government is determined to see no lack of sanitation to inconvenience the people. Teamwork is a must — cleanliness is a shared responsibility.”

The blitz is within the framework of the National Development Strategy 1 and it is a part of the Urban Regeneration Programme that the development is working towards. Of equal significance, are plans to establish the irresistible and fully functional modern apartments and make sure that every house has an enhanced water supply.

Furthermore, the refurbishment of the sewerage and garbage disposal systems in Mbare was covered in NDS 1.

During the launch, the broadcasting industry was also represented by the Minister of Information being present, Hon. J. Muswere, Deputy Ministers Dr. O. Marupi and Hon. A.T. Mavunga, and other senior government officials.Bedbugs A Persistent Problem.

Over the years, the bedbug infestations, known as ‘tsikidzi’among the locals, have been, and still are, a major concern for Mbare, with overcrowding and the dilapidated infrastructure being contributing factors.

The Matererini and Matapi Flats, established during British rule, are at the center of the crisis.

The abandonment of these structures for decades has resulted in their disrepair, with the walls breaking down, the pipes leaking, and the sanitation systems being inadequate.

The control of the problem has been hindered by various difficulties, including attempts to treat with chemical agents that the bugs became resistant and the steadfastness of some of the local people.

Small areas of the city, such as a few street blocks, have been “quarantined,” and the fumigation has been carried out a number of times; however, all these endeavors have been unable to defeat the violence of the bedbugs, as the and the situation has worsened by the informal clothing markets and general lack of neatness.

Call to Action

The occupants of the city are being encouraged to allow access to the fumigators, keep their living spaces clean, and act quickly in the event of an infestation, as a way of ensuring that the whole process becomes a success.

The commitment of the government in the fight against this issue is clear, but as emphasised in the message, it will take the efforts of all people involved to achieve success.