High Court gives City of Masvingo December ultimatum on dumpsite

Tiyani Hahlani

Residents can finally breathe a sigh of relief after Masvingo High Court ruled in favour of the Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA), ordering the City of Masvingo to cease operations at the controversial Runyararo West dumpsite by December 31, 2025.

The ruling, handed down by Justice Sunsley Zisengwe on June 24, 2025, granted an interdict against the city council, barring further waste disposal at the dumpsite.

The local authority has been instructed to shift its waste management operations to the designated but currently incomplete Cambria Farm landfill, a site meant to meet environmental safety standards.

MURRA argued that the continued use of the Runyararo West site was a violation of environmental rights and posed serious health risks to nearby residents.

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The Environmental Management Agency (EMA), cited as the second respondent, has also been directed to monitor and enforce the city’s compliance with the ruling.

While the interdict is effective immediately, the High Court granted a grace period until December 31, 2025 to allow for a full transition.

MURRA spokesperson Godfrey Mtimba hailed the ruling as a significant victory for Masvingo’s long-suffering communities.

“This is a sweet victory for residents who had been at the mess of pollution and other environmental and health violations. We welcome and appreciate the ruling by the High Court, and we expect the City Council to honour it,” said Mtimba.

“MURRA will continue to fight for residents’ rights in all spheres. We also want to appreciate the support given by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), who offered us legal representation.”

The case was successfully argued by Yolanda Chandati, a lawyer from Zimbabwe Legal for Human Rights, who represented MURRA in court.

Jeremaya Munyonga, a local resident residing in Victoria Ranch, expressed gratitude and optimism following the court’s decision, since residents had for long suffered the consequences of the dumpsite.

“This judgement means a lot to us as residents,” said Munyonga.

“We have lived with the smoke, the smell, and the health problems for far too long. This move will not only help our community, but also those in Runyararo West who have also been affected. Finally, we can hope for a cleaner and healthier environment for our children and families,” he said.

Residents in the affected area have long decried the impact of the dumpsite on their daily lives, citing respiratory illnesses, unpleasant odours, and an overall decline in quality of life.

Residents in the affected area have long decried the impact of the dumpsite on their daily lives, citing respiratory illnesses, unpleasant odours, and an overall decline in quality of life.

The court’s decision is now seen as a turning point in how local governance can be held accountable through civic action.

As the countdown to December 2025 begins, MURRA has pledged to monitor progress closely and ensure that the city council abides by the ruling.

Environmental advocates are calling it a landmark case that sets a precedent for other communities facing similar struggles across the country.

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