Harare City Council is failing to maintain its 125 public toilets around the capital amid indications that only two were in proper working condition in the central business district (CBD).
Kuwadzana councillor Wurayayi Mangwiro told a full council meeting last week that it was embarrassing that only two toilets in the city centre were functioning while those in most residential areas were not functioning properly.
A survey by NewsDay in the CBD yesterday confirmed the toilet crisis gripping the capital.
“If we can’t repair toilets, what will we be remembered for? A toilet seat costs only $20 and we can’t fail to repair a toilet. It’s a mess and a disgrace. I would have used my own money to repair a toilet in my ward because it’s a disgrace,” Mangwiro said.
“We are now afraid to meet the people because they will ask us about the toilets.”
Most public toilets, particularly the ones at the Speke Avenue bus terminals (commonly known as Copacabana) have no toilet seats or running water, creating a health time bomb.
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Others in different suburbs have virtually been closed down due to lack of maintenance.
Council director for Amenities Dombo Chibanda said: “What has happened is that all toilets should be repaired by end of year. There 115 toilets and we will give a report next week.”
Council workers tasked to clean the toilets only work once every morning but due to the dysfunctionality of the systems, by midday, the toilets would be unusable. Residents who spoke to NewsDay said there was need to increase the number of public toilets especially in the CBD.
Residents are having to use the bush system at public places in their locations because toilets at most places have been closed due to lack of maintanance.