Fumigation is currently in progress at the Matererini Flats in Mbare to tackle a recent bedbug outbreak.
In response to appeals from residents, the City of Harare’s pest control teams began spraying on the morning of Monday, April 7, 2025.
The city will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the progress of the fumigation. Residents are encouraged to stay vigilant and help prevent reinfestation by maintaining regular cleaning routines and ensuring proper waste disposal.
The City of Harare has confirmed a bedbug infestation (locally known as tsikidzi) in the high-density area of Mbare, prompting immediate pest control action to address the problem.
Stanley Gama, Harare City’s Corporate Communications Manager, stated that pest control teams have already been dispatched to assess the situation and begin mobilising resources for the response.
“We’ve confirmed the presence of bedbugs in Mbare, and the City of Harare is taking swift action by implementing a thorough spraying operation in the affected areas,” Gama said in a statement.
The initial focus will be on the Matererini and Matapi Flats in Mbare, which are among the oldest and most densely populated residential areas in the city. Gama pointed out that factors such as overcrowding, poor sanitation, and insufficient waste management are contributing to the resurgence of the pests.
“Residents in these areas are urged to prepare and cooperate with the pest control teams starting early in the morning,” he added.
In addition to the spraying efforts, the city will run public awareness campaigns aimed at educating residents about the causes of bedbug infestations and how to prevent them, particularly in crowded communities.
