Blantyre City enforces litter ban, Malawi Police arrest 3

Malawi commercial city Blantyre has begun to enforce bylaws governing the city that bans the littering in the streets leading to the arrest of three.

The suspects arrested on Thursday by city’s security officers and handed to police are Haji Yusufu Yakiti, 28 from Machemba Village, T/A Chowe in Mangochi, Issa Osten, 22 from Nsuwo Village, T/A Kalembo in Mangochi and Dickson Linyenga, 42, from Mlomba Village, T/A Machinjiri in Blantyre.

“The two suspects were emptying garbage bin along the road in Limbe while another suspect was arrested on Friday for dumping waste at Chitawira Cemetery” said Anthony Kasunda, BCC spokesperson in a statement

He said thethree are in custody at Limbe Police Station and will appear in court soon to answer a charge of littering.

Kasunda issued a stern warning that the Council will take action against any person who litters or being an owner or occupier of premises that accumulate waste on their premises or dumps the same on places not designated as dumpsites.

“The Council is appealing to all residents and people in Blantyre to avoid littering anyhow and make proper use of the bins placed around the City,” he said.

“No waste or refuse shall be collected by the Council’s collection service unless it is deposited in an approved receptacle,” Kasunda added.

The City through its Mayor Noel Chalamanda is championing a Keep Blantyre City Clean campaign in an effort to bring back Blantyre City’s beauty and glory.

People drop litter anywhere in Malawi and some Blantyre resident feel there should have been a warning about the move to arrest those littering.

“The idea of having a clean city is goo. There are too many laws people don’t know about and people need to know littering is against the law and that this is going to be imposed,” one man in the city centre said.

But other residents felt it was about time something was done about the filth.