Tiyani Hahlani
Centre News Hub
Vic Range- A growing waste crisis at Victoria Ranch Business Centre has triggered serious health concerns, prompting Senator, Sam Chapfudza, to intervene using his personal truck after uncollected refuse turned the area into a hazardous site.
For months, garbage had gone uncollected at the busy commercial hub, raising alarm among traders, health clubs and residents over sanitation, disease risks and the safety of the community, particularly children who play at the dumpsite.
Speaking with this publication Senator Chapfudza said his intervention was aimed at addressing the immediate danger while encouraging a broader sense of responsibility within the community.
“This is a place where people from all walks of life meet and guided by the President’s vision of maintaining a clean environment, I saw it fit to lead by example and use the resources I have to serve the people,” says Chapfudza.
Chapfudza, further, stressed out that maintaining cleanliness is a shared responsibility.
“Waste management is not only the work of local authorities it is for all of us and we must all play a role in keeping our surroundings clean”, he said.
He also added that the clean-up effort is intended to promote long-term behavioral change within the community.
“This is just the beginning. The idea is to conscientise people so that they take ownership of their environment and maintain cleanliness going forward,” he said.
The initiative also marked the first deployment of Chapfudza’s tipper truck, recently acquired as part of his entry into the construction sector.
“I saw it fit to start by serving the community before myself. As the community comes first, me second,” he said.
Victoria Ranch, health club member, Jeremiah Munyonga also emphasized the importance of this campaign as the situation had escalated into a serious health concern.
“The waste had become too much, and there was no regular collection and our children were now playing around the garbage, which was very dangerous.
“This intervention came at the right time and we are grateful for this programme as the area had become a health hazard, especially for our children. At least now the environment is cleaner and safer,” says Munyonga.
Business operator, Jackson Dzinoreva, at the center also added that the accumulation of waste had begun to drive customers away and affect daily operations.
“We were now working in very difficult health environment as customers were avoiding this place because of the smell and the dirt. What the Senator has done is something we truly appreciate and it has helped in restoring a safe and clean environment for business though we still have a challenge of road network in ferrying our goods to the community,” says Dzinoreva.
While the intervention has brought immediate relief, it has also highlighted ongoing challenges in waste management at the business center.
Victoria Ranch Business Centre remains a key economic hub, and stakeholders say sustained and coordinated waste management efforts will be critical to safeguarding public health and supporting business activity going forward.
