THE HIGH Court has ordered a local authority to cease operations at a hazardous dumpsite, which had been endangering the health and lives of residents in Masvingo.
Masvingo High Court Judge Justice Sunsley Zisengwe on Monday 24 June 2025 interdicted City of Masvingo from using the dumpsite area located in Runyararo West suburb for waste disposal.
Justice Zisengwe also ordered the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to enforce the High Court order and ensure that City of Masvingo complies with his directive.
The High Court Judge said the operation of his order will be stayed until 31 December 2025 to enable the local authority to cease operations at the dumpsite located in Runyararo West suburb and to migrate to the Cambria Farm landfill facility.
Justice Zisengwe’s order came after a legal challenge mounted by Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) and Kudakwashe Mago, a local resident, who on 24 January 2025 filed an application at Masvingo High Court protesting against the violation of residents’ right to an environment that is not harmful to health or well-being as guaranteed under section 73 of the Constitution.
In the application, MURRA and Mago, who were represented by Yolander Chandata of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, accused City of Masvingo of violating the environmental rights of residents residing in Runyararo West suburb, by continuing to make use of the dumpsite as it was a health hazard to some dwellers, who reside close to the dumpsite area.
Chandata argued that residents in Masvingo were being exposed to a filthy and unsafe environment, which is hazardous to their health.
The human rights lawyer contented that the continued use of the dumpsite in Runyararo West suburb had numerous effects not only on the environment but on the health and lives of residents hence the need for the local authority to migrate the dumping site system to a land fill system at Cambria Farm.
ENDS
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