Staff Writer
The Harare City Council has threatened to cancel leases following reports that some residents at Mbare flats are resisting to let council workers fumigate their premises against beg bugs (Tsikidzi).
In a statement council said it will soon engage police if the resistance continues.
“We have noted with concern reports that some occupiers of Mbare flats are refusing to open their doors to City Health workers who want to fumigate their premises against bedbugs (tsikidzi).
“We encourage the residents to allow health workers immediate access to the premises or risk enforcement using police.
This will also mean cancelling the current leases since the apartments are owned by the City of Harare.”
Council said its priority remains upholding residents safety.
“Residents’ health is of utmost importance and the City of Harare will use every available means to gain access for fumigation purposes to protect every resident in Harare.”
Meanwhile, the Combined Harare Residents Association has called on residents to comply with the local authority order.
“The local authority warned tenants that they must allow health workers immediate access to their homes or risk enforcement action, which may include police intervention.
” Furthermore, the notice stated that failure to comply could result in the cancellation of current leases, as the apartments are owned by the City of Harare.
“These threats from the local authority come in response to ongoing struggles to eradicate the blood-sucking insects, amidst claims that the chemicals and strategies employed by authorities have been ineffective.
“The Combined Harare Residents Association urges the residents of Mbare Flats to cooperate with health officials and calls on the local authority to abide by the High Court Order that mandated improvements to sanitary conditions in the 59 Blocks of Mbare Flats.”