A NUMBER of theories have been thrown around as to the recent surge in the number of bed bugs in Harare’s most populous suburb, Mbare, particularly the Matererini Flats, as well as in other suburbs such as Mabvuku, Budiriro and Kuwadzana.
The bed bug infestation first broke out at the Matererini Flats about a fortnight ago.
Trade in second-hand clothes, which are kept overnight in some of the infested flats, visits by friends and relatives from affected areas and poor living conditions have been blamed for the spread of the bed bugs.
There are fears that if not contained as a matter of urgency, the bed bugs may spread across the whole city and will be difficult to manage.
Officials from the City of Harare recently fumigated rooms, clothes and furniture at the flats, but residents complain that since the exercise was undertaken, the crisis has worsened.
Built during the colonial era, Mbare flats stand as a stark reminder of the country’s grim urban history.
And decades of neglect have left these structures in a perilous state, with crumbling walls, leaking pipes and severe structural instability posing significant safety risks.
The living conditions are squalid.
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Despite a 2024 High Court order directing Harare City Council to restore water and sewer systems and upgrade the rundown flats, little progress has been made at Matapi, Matererini, Shawasha Hostels and Nenyere flats that have become severely overcrowded, where sanitation and hygiene are a difficult task considering the lack of water to aide cleanliness.
The Mbare flats are a ticking time bomb.
Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga has publicly stated that government intends to demolish the dilapidated residential flats in Mbare and replace them with modern buildings.
In 2023, he said previous efforts by government were thwarted by the opposition-led HCC.
On the other hand, the opposition defended themselves saying Zanu PF politicians have consistently undermined plans to rehabilitate the crumbling Mbare hostels.
Previous attempts to rehabilitate the flats, including a 2011 initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, were thwarted by political interference.
Political will is needed if the fight against bed bugs is to be won.
Unfortunately, the ruling elite are only thinking about lining their pockets, extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office and amassing more wealth in the process.
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) director Reuben Akili said: “The first thing, which we just want to take note of is that two years ago, CHRA went to court because of the squalid living conditions of Mbare residents,” while blaming the outbreak on poor living conditions in Mbare.
Akili added: “We have always said even in our statement that the City of Harare needs to consider this issue as a pertinent matter and not just be reactive, but to be proactive and ensuring they commence the process of adhering to the court order and start offering the necessary services to the blocks of flats in Mbare.”
Were there powerful politicians’ interests in the flats, we would have seen action being taken as a matter of urgency.
But because there is nothing there for them, save for the coerced votes, they will take their time to fix the problem.
