The situation in central Harare regarding public toilets is quite concerning. Due to a lack of water, the city council has been forced to keep these facilities closed.
This has led to unfortunate consequences, as vendors, people living on the streets, and commuter omnibus drivers have resorted to relieving themselves along service lanes and in dark corners.
The public toilets have notices on the doors reading, “Not in Use — No Water”.
The persistent issue of closed public toilets in Harare, coupled with the presence of fa3cal matter in the streets, paints a grim picture that falls short of the city’s aspirations to achieve world-class status by 2025. The recent cholera outbreak, although diminished, still poses a risk to public health, making the situation even more concerning.
As of late, toilets located at Harare Gardens, Copacabana, Charge Office, and Sam Nujoma Street have been rendered unfit for use due to continuous pipe bursts. Despite the notice indicating a lack of water at the Charge Office rank restroom, people continue to use it, creating a potential health hazard.
Vendors selling fresh fruit and snacks near these restrooms further jeopardize public health, particularly given the ongoing cholera outbreak. It is crucial for the city council to address these issues and provide clean, functional public toilets to maintain the health and safety of Harare’s residents and visitors.
According to a taxi driver who works at the Copacabana, the council ought to offer complimentary restrooms.
“I used to assume that using the public restroom was free, but I was shocked to learn that they now cost 50 cents, and I cannot afford that. My wish is that the city council should fulfil its duties by providing free toilets. To save my money, I use those pavements and buildings as toilets,” he said.
A vendor, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the council was taking residents for granted.
“These public toilets have been closed for quite some time because there is no water. The toilets are not even being maintained and people are relieving themselves anywhere. I do not know why the council is hanging on to facilities that are not adding any value to ratepayers.’’
Another resident, who only identified herself as Mrs Chengetai, had no kind words.
“Council has not even expressed regret, people are using the surrounding bushes as places to relieve themselves, which puts us at risk of disease epidemics. Ultimately, the public restrooms are broken,” she remarked.
At the Charge Office public transport ranks, a driver named Nancy Svoni lodged a complaint against the attendant for charging them for tissue paper.
“They charged us $2 000 for tissue paper, even though sometimes they allowed us to use the toilet,” the woman remarked.
Harare City Council spokesperson, Stanley Gama, has stated that the council is working in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to investigate and prosecute city council workers who are charging the public to use the toilets.
“We are engaging with the ZRP to prosecute those who are practising unethical things at work, such as corruption. For this will not achieve our vision goal of becoming a world-class city by 2025,” he said.
Source: The Herald
