ZDDT almost accused of littering, accolades received instead
BULAWAYO – A potentially embarrassing situation, in which the Trust faced a fine for illegal dumping of waste, turned out satisfactorily when it became evident that ZDDT had been wrongly implicated.
ZDDT has, since its inception, via its SEBENZELA/ Work for … initiative, been involved with the local Authority, Councillors and residents in Bulawayo and later Gweru, in activities that entails awareness through training on correct environmental care. Practical clean-up campaigns play a key role too in these interventions.
It therefore came as a shock for Trust staffers when an official from the City Cleansing Services recently visited their office in Suburbs, clutching incriminating evidence in his fist, suggesting that someone at ZDDT was illegally dumping waste in an adjacent common area. Dutifully two staff members accompanied the official to several dumping sites where more evidence was discovered which pointed squarely at ZDDT.
It then occurred to one of the Trust officers, that the office assistant left bagged waste outside the premises gate for collection by the City’s refuse collection unit and that this waste was probably being rummaged through and then left in the nearby open ground. This explanation was offered to the official, who surprisingly accepted it without arguing.
The official, it transpired, was well aware of the beneficial work being conducted by ZDDT, in cooperation with the City Council and Councillors among local communities.
“I am aware of the good work that your organisation is doing in the communities, especially concerning clean-ups and I am without doubt that you would not intentionally commit an offence, particularly littering or dumping.”
Needless to say, back at the office, it was smiles all round and the City Cleansing Services official left with a promise that he would look into the reason why refuse along the street remained uncollected for unusually lengthy periods.