Second-hand clothing has been identified as a major factor in the bed bug infestation currently afflicting residents of Harare, in Zimbabwe amid fears that the problem could spread across the city if the municipal authorities fail to implement effective eradication measures.
A significant outbreak of bed bugs (tsikidzi/intwala) was reported at Matererini Flats a fortnight ago.
The trade in second-hand clothing—often stored overnight in some of the affected flats—visits by friends and relatives from infested areas, and poor living conditions have all been cited as contributing factors to the spread of the infestation.
The infestation has since extended to other high-density suburbs, including Mabvuku, Kuwadzana, and Budiriro.
Wisbon Malaya, Secretary-General of the Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations, urged municipal authorities to fumigate the affected areas as a matter of urgency.
“We urge the City of Harare Health Department to undertake intensive bed bug control measures, including training residents in the production of homemade fumigation chemicals, thereby enabling widespread domestic fumigation,” Malaya stated.
He further appealed to informal traders to temporarily cease trading in second-hand garments that might harbour the pests, as a means of managing the outbreak. Malaya also encouraged public transport operators to fumigate their vehicles daily until the situation is under control.
Reuben Akili, Director of the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA), attributed the outbreak to longstanding poor living conditions in Mbare.
“Two years ago, CHRA initiated legal action concerning the deplorable living standards in Mbare,” Akili noted. “We have consistently maintained that the City of Harare must address this issue proactively, rather than reacting only when crises emerge, and must comply with court orders to improve conditions across the 59 blocks of flats in Mbare.”
Alice Kuveya, Director of the Chitungwiza Residents Trust, echoed similar concerns, criticising the local authority’s apparent indifference to service delivery.
“The same neglect seen in broader service delivery issues is now evident in their response to the bed bug infestation,” Kuveya remarked. “The council must act swiftly to prevent the situation from escalating into a national disaster.”
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume acknowledged that the second-hand clothing trade was likely responsible for the spread of the bed bugs, noting that garments may have become infested at the point of sale. Mafume assured residents that fumigation of all affected areas would be undertaken.
