By Staff Reporter
The City of Harare has raised concerns following reports that some Mbare residents are refusing entry to municipal teams dispatched to fumigate their homes in an ongoing campaign to eradicate bed bugs.
Although no official explanation has been provided for the resistance, social media posts suggest that some residents believe the fumigation exercise may be making the bed bugs more resistant to chemicals, rather than killing them.
In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the City of Harare said:
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 residents to allow health workers immediate access to the premises, or risk enforcement through police intervention.”
The city further warned that refusal to cooperate could lead to the cancellation of current leases, as the apartments are council-owned.
“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,” the statement added.
