A resident who pleaded for concealment of her identity told Zodiak Online that market cleaners dump waste anyhow and efforts to stop them are yielding to nothing.

"We have tried in vain to stop this, even reporting the malpractice to the authorities in the district council and we fear of the outbreak of waterborne diseases at this compound,” said the resident.

She said the market cleaners insult them when they express tworry over the littering of rubbish at the place.

Another resident faulted duty bearers for ignoring their concerns, and he wondered how a dumping site could be within a residential area.

“Bad smell from the decomposed waste is unbearable, and we fear for the health of our children as some of them pick litter from the site,” he lamented.

Environmental activist Mathews Malata said it is sad that those in authority are failing to demonstrate to the public simple hygienic and sanitation practices.

“There is serious pollution of air, soil and land there and what is happening there is a violation of the rights of people living there, so my plea to the council is to hear the concerns of the residents, remove the waste and stop dumping the litter at that place,” said Malata.

In his response, chairperson of Mulanje District Council, Councilor Thokozani Namoyo, said the council is not aware of this issue but was quick to state that they will react once they receive a formal complaint.