Over 100 Bindura residents scramble daily for fertilizer
waste dumped behind Bindura Sports Club by manufacturing company Fertilizer
Seed Grain (FSG), which they collect for resale.
When NewsDay visited the site last week, people — newcomers
and regulars — were eagerly waiting for the FSG truck at the dumpsite.
A few were wearing masks and the fight for the fertilizer
does not allow them to observe social distancing, otherwise this would mean
going back home empty-handed.
“People come from Pfugari, Chiwaridzo, Chipindura and
Mupandenyama, while others come from as far as Kingston. Some sacrifice to
sleep here because they want better yields. There are many people from the
apostolic sect here because they have a colleague who works at FSG and always
gives them a tip-off,” Tererai Chiswiti said.
A Midlands State University student (name withheld) told
NewsDay that she used the fertilizer for gardening.
“I have been coming here since last month and I use this
fertilizer for my gardening project near Chiwaridzo Secondary School. My
vegetables grow well and it’s generating money enough that I don’t bother my
parents much asking for money. If I am not mistaken, the company started
dumping the fertilizer in August 2017,” the student said.
“There is also corruption here. Earlier before your
arrival, there was a load that we were told it was for FSG staff. The truck did
not even reach this side. I later discovered that three men had paid the driver
to offload for them only. I was shocked to see my neighbour among the staff,
yet he does not even work for the company. Most people go and sell the
fertilizer at US$20 per 50kg.”
Compound D SuperFert goes for $840, while AN is pegged at
$1 140. An old man, Leonard Mavhaya, said it was his first time to
collect the fertilizer from the dumpsite.
“Initially, I didn’t take this seriously, but I have made a
decision to come today. I just need a small amount,” he said.
FSG Bindura manager Naas Maritz told NewsDay that nearly
100 tonnes had been dumped at the site and the company was not liable for any
damage likely to happen.
“That’s waste fertilizer and we take no responsibility of
what will happen. We are actually throwing it away because we don’t use it.
Some people slept there at night waiting for the fertilizer, but it’s finished
now. I have put about 100 tonnes in the past three weeks. Bring one load a day,
they will fight,” Maritz said.
“I chased some people who had come with a tractor
intimidating old women and denying them the opportunity to get the waste.
Another day, someone came with a truck and tried to bribe to fill his vehicle.
I said no, everybody should get. It’s for everybody.”
Bindura town clerk Shangwa Mavesera said the municipality
would investigate the matter.
“Thanks very much, I will take my guys there on Tuesday for
investigations. I can get more information on the matter before I comment,” he
said. Newsday
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