Health and environment reporter
Bulawayo – Residents of Cowdray Park are once again raising alarm over the persistent health threat posed by the Ngozi Mine dumpsite, which continues to emit thick, toxic smoke — especially after rainfall — despite repeated calls and promises for its relocation or rehabilitation.
The dumpsite, situated dangerously close to residential areas, has long been identified as a major source of air pollution. Promises were made by local authorities to move or repurpose the site due to its environmental and health impact, but no tangible action has been taken.
With the rainy season approaching, residents fear the situation will worsen. Recently, mornings following overnight showers, thick smoke blankets the suburb, leaving families — especially children and the elderly — struggling to breathe.
“We wake up to a cloud of choking smoke that makes it hard to see or even open windows,” said one Cowdray Park resident. “This has been going on for years, and nothing is being done.”
Speaking at a conference on February 26, 2025, the Mayor of Bulawayo, David Coltart, announced ambitious plans to transform the dumpsite into a sustainable energy and recycling hub aimed at creating jobs and addressing environmental degradation.
“That site, Ngozi Mine, it’s an open gaping wound on our City. We cannot ignore it any longer. We need an urgent project — one that cleans up the mess and turns it into something beneficial — energy, recycled plastics, we need it all,” Coltart said.
However, months later, the issue persists. No visible developments have been made on the proposed transformation, and the harmful smoke continues to affect nearby communities. Local environmental activists have voiced frustration, accusing authorities of neglect and failing to act on their own commitments.
They warn that exposure to burning waste can cause or worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and other long-term health complications.
The ongoing situation has prompted renewed calls for the immediate relocation, rehabilitation, or proper management of the dumpsite before the rains intensify. Residents are urging the Bulawayo City Council to act decisively and not wait for a full-blown health emergency.
As the smoke thickens with each downpour, Cowdray Park remains trapped in a toxic cycle — one that residents say must end now.
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