Environment and Natural Resources minister Francis Nhema has lashed out at communities who dump hair and condoms at undesignated points, accusing them of contributing to water contamination.
Addressing guests at a Miss Zimbabwe environment pageant in Bulawayo at the weekend, Nhema said unsafe disposal of hair extensions and condoms posed a health hazard.
“Half of the blockages are caused by hair extensions which are changed weekly,” he said.
“They should not be changed weekly because they are a hazard to the environment and our health. We find them in our water system, as well as condoms.
People tend to just throw them away in the open and they are washed into our water system. They are such a messy sight.”
Nhema said the environment depended on how people disposed of waste.
“The environment depends on how we dispose of our waste. What makes us have better health is our environment. As we speak, Bulawayo uses seven different chemicals to clean and purify its water while Harare uses a total of 15 different chemicals to clean its water.”
