200 garbage containers vandalised overnight in the centre of Maputo

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200 garbage containers vandalised overnight in the centre of Maputo

3:19 CAT | 01 Mar 2022

Photo: O País

Vandalisation of garbage containers in the ‘cement area’ of Maputo city is commonplace. On the night of Friday to Saturday, about 200 containers were damaged, and essential parts removed.

The parts referred to are made of plastic and are used to attach the container to the garbage collection vehicle.

Speaking to ‘O País’, Stela Novela, deputy director of environment and health for the Municipality of Maputo, explained that the pieces were removed from containers throughout almost the entire city centre, especially in Alto Maé A and B , Malhangalene, the entirety of the city’s Baixa and the Bairro Central A and B.

“This happened in several avenues, in several locations, and we are trying to establish why they were removed, who the perpetrators of these acts are and who the possible buyers [of the stolen parts] might be,” she said.

The cost of the damage has not yet been calculated, but the municipality says it is already working on replacing the containers, which for the most part “are now almost impossible to use, in the state they are in”, while repairing those that have suffered sabotage.

“With this replacement, we want to ensure that the collection of garbage from the city to its final destination does not stop. We are also already working with the police to identify those responsible, so they are held accountable for their actions”.

However, if the vandalism continues, the country’s capital may suffer substandard garbage collection, because the removed parts facilitate collection and, without them, the garbage collectors might have to dump the garbage on the ground and put it in the truck with a shovel.

“Therefore, we appeal to anyone who knows who is responsible or who sees people vandalising [the containers] to denounce them, as this is a public good. Together, we can keep the city clean, whereas, if this problem spreads, we will be living in chaos, with garbage everywhere here in Maputo city,” Novella said.

Meanwhile, people responsible for garbage collection believe that the stolen parts went straight to “recycling” to be turned into other plastic products.

By Julieta Zucula

Source: O País