By Staff Reporter

KWEKWE – Residents of Mbizo Section 7 have raised alarm over a growing infestation of bedbugs, commonly known as tsikidzi, which are now spreading in the densely populated suburb.

The outbreak, which was first reported in Amaveni and Globe and Phoenix in late 2024, had initially spared Mbizo. However, residents say the pests have now taken hold in Section 7 homes, sparking health concerns and discomfort.

“We used to hear about bedbugs in other parts of Kwekwe, but now they are in our own homes,” said Tendai Maunganidze, a Section 7 resident. “It’s very hard to sleep. My children wake up with bites every morning.”

Sophia Chinanga, another resident, said efforts to control the pests have been futile. “We have tried boiling water, pesticides, and even burning furniture, but the bedbugs keep coming back. They hide in the cracks of walls and bed frames.”

Saidi Saidi, who runs a small grocery shop in the area, said the infestation is affecting daily life. “Customers complain when they sit on the chairs. It’s embarrassing and frustrating. We need help from the authorities.”

Amaveni councillor Makomborero Mlambo has since last year been making noise on the need to take action before the issue gets out of hand.

“As council we should do something to contain this situation,” he told a preious full council before his colleagues broke into laughter telling him he is obsessed with the tsikidzi issue.

The outbreak in Mbizo follows similar reports from Harare’s Mbare suburb, where a severe infestation has affected hundreds of households. Experts say the resurgence of bedbugs across urban Zimbabwe may be linked to imported second-hand clothing, commonly known as mabhero, which are often transported without proper sanitation.

Bedbugs thrive in overcrowded living conditions with poor hygiene, and their rapid reproduction makes them difficult to eradicate once they settle in. According to environmental health experts, the pests multiply quickly in warm, humid environments and can go months without feeding, making them resilient and hard to control.

“The challenge with bedbugs is that they spread easily from place to place, particularly through infested furniture and clothing,” said an environmental health officer who requested anonymity. “Regular fumigation, proper sanitation, and public education are key to tackling the crisis.”

Residents are calling on Kwekwe City Council and the Ministry of Health to intervene with community fumigation programs and awareness campaigns to contain the spread of the pests before the situation worsens.