Moses Ziyambi

City of Masvingo says it will soon move to force business premises to protect sanitary lanes behind their premises and ensure that they are kept in a sanitary state at all times.

In the city, sanitary lanes, also known as delivery lanes, have become places of illegal garbage dumping and open defecation. The spaces are often trashed by vagrants and homeless children.

Responding to questions from EnviroPress, the council’s new director in the Department of Environmental Health and Housing, Suzanne Madamombe acknowledged the health menace that the spaces have been allowed to become over the years.

“We understand that it is a problem that was overlooked for a long time. Those lanes need real attention and we should now sit down and look into how we can make businesses keep those spaces clean,” said Madamombe.

She said council could soon move to force businesses to put in place strong security measures to prevent unauthorised people from gaining access to sanitary lanes.

“We could soon begin putting together specifications on the kind of fencing and gates that can be used to protect sanitary lanes to ensure that those who are not authorised to access the back of premises are kept away.

Madamombe succeeded Ngonidzashe Mapamula who retired at the end of February. Mapamula had held the position on an acting basis following the retirement of Zvapano Munganasa.