Public protector raises the alarm over emerging health risks from uncollected garbage

The Office of the Public Protector has expressed concern over the growing accumulation of uncollected garbage in various parts of the country, particularly in markets, residential compounds, and Lusaka’s central business district.

Public Protector, Caroline Sokoni, noted that the failure by responsible authorities to address the situation amounts to maladministration, as it poses serious health risks—especially with the onset of the rainy season, which often triggers cholera outbreaks.

Sokoni made the remarks in a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday as Zambia joined the global Ombudsman community in commemorating International Ombudsman Day, which falls on October 9, 2025.

This year’s International Ombudsman Day was observed under the theme “Ombuds: Empowering Voices, Resolving Challenges.”

“The country cannot afford to face another wave of cholera due to negligence in waste management. Uncollected garbage not only threatens public health but also drains the national treasury through preventable health expenditures,” Sokoni said.

The Public Protector has since urged the Lusaka City Council and other local authorities to take immediate action to ensure regular garbage collection and maintain cleanliness in compounds and trading areas.

“Taking care of the environment must start from our homes. If we fail to clean our surroundings, how can we maintain cleanliness and order in our offices where we keep important public records and files?
Cleanliness and good governance go hand in hand,” she emphasized.

Sokoni reaffirmed her office’s commitment to providing individuals with a safe and confidential platform to speak up, be heard, and seek redress for concerns related to administrative inefficiencies within state institutions.

She further explained that International Ombudsman Day, observed annually on the second Thursday of October, serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the vital role Ombudsman institutions play in promoting fairness, accountability, and good governance in public administration.

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