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Midlands Bureau Chief

A HEALTH hazard is looming in Gweru Central Business District where people are relieving themselves in open spaces and sanitary lanes due to lack of public toilets.

Most of the public toilets have been turned into pay toilets hence many people are not using them. 

The most affected are vendors, money changers, drivers, conductors and touts at various pick up and drop off points who have resorted to relieving themselves in the open or in sanitary lanes.

Speaking during a recent council meeting, Ward 13 Councillor Catherine Mhondiwa urged the local authority to assist shoppers and travellers by providing more public toilets where members of the public do not pay for the services.

She said some public toilets have been turned into pay toilets forcing those with no money to relieve themselves in the open. 

“A health hazard is looming in the city centre due to lack of free public toilets hence the need for council to urgently act to address this shortcoming,” she said.

Clr Mhondiwa said there should be public toilets at Kudzanayi Long Distance Bus Terminus where members of the public are not asked to pay for the services.

Pay toilets are charging US$0.50 or the equivalent in local currency. 

“At Kudzanayi Terminus we should have both pay and free toilets to ensure convenience of the travelling public and vendors operating at the terminus,” said Cllr Mhondiwa.

Acting town clerk Mr Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe said no money was allocated for the construction of public toilets this year.

“We have a programme-based budget and no money was allocated for the construction of public toilets this year. Council might consider allocating resources for this project next year,” he said. 

In 2018, Gweru was hit by a typhoid outbreak, which claimed eight lives and infected more than 1 000 people.