Rezende Rank just like many ranks in Harare is deteriorating to a dump site which poses a great health concern to the people (vendors, commuter operators and commuter passengers etc.). The rank is now overwhelmed by huge piles of over spilling rubbish bins and stagnant water which has created an environment conducive to the spread of diseases. The foul stench which comes from this rubbish is a reminder of the rising pollution problems in Harare.

Rezende rank is a hub of activity where numerous people converge daily. Numerous businesses are operated around the rank. For example, there are food outlets such as Eat n Lick; boutiques; book stores; and beerhalls amongst other businesses. On top of these, there is also the presence of vendors. Despite the presence and existence of these businesses at Rezende Rank, the city council seems to be negligent of the pollution. The slacked response of the city council towards the high levels of pollution at Rezende Rank is intolerable and worrying.

The effects of this negligence are a matter of great concern with the pollution posing serious health risks. The presence of food outlets and vendors makes the situation worse as there are chances of the spread of diseases such as cholera or diarrhea. The most vulnerable to the effects of this problem are vendors and customers as they are exposed to the polluted place.

“We are used to the smell, tatojaira isu” said one of the vendors who wished to remain anonymous.

Most of the commuter operators at Rezende complained about the inconsistency of the city council in collecting rubbish and cleaning the rank. According to the business operators at Rezende rank, the fact that sometimes the city council spends more than two weeks without collecting rubbish and does not regularly clean the place causes the high levels of pollution in the Rank.

The high levels of pollution at Rezende rank mirror Harare’s pollution crisis and failure to maintain a clean city. It has become a norm in Harare to depict ranks by large piles of rubbish, stagnant water and the strong stench of urine. Another rank which is far worse than Rezende is Kopakabana.

The problem of pollution in the city is multifaceted coming from numerous factors. The people need to be encouraged and educated on avoiding to throw away rubbish everywhere. “The problem is we have normalized throwing our rubbish on the ground,” said Rumbidzai, a regular commuter at Rezende rank. “People need to be educated not to throw rubbish everywhere.