RESIDENTS in one of the oldest suburbs in Gwanda are pleading with the local authority to
have toilets attached to their housing blocks.
Their pleas follow recurring water shortages at a public toilet that caters for several
households.
Instead, Jahunda residents have called upon council to give them the green light to construct
toilets attached to their houses.
The incessant water crisis has left the residents without any option other than to call the local
authority to work for the betterment of their health as the hygienic conditions at the public
toilet is unbearable.
These toilets cater for everyone around here, from shopkeepers, those who dwell in these
blocks and even passers-by, yet currently there is no water. People continuously relieve
themselves here creating a stinking environment for us. We have pleaded with the council to
construct toilets attached to our houses, but up to date nothing has been done.
In this day and age, we cannot go for 30-50m to access a toilet while in a town. Council
cannot even give us a water bowsers yet they are very much aware of our situation,” said a
resident. who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Another resident, Tsigai Maphosa, was seething with anger at how the community was
handling the public toilet.
Nowadays people relieve themselves on the ground because the chambers inside are
overloaded with no water to clean up.
“The place is a health hazard. We have children that play near there. It is a matter of time b
before we hear of a disease outbreak," he said.
Several residents said it would be advisable for council to shut down the ablution facility
completely.
Ward councillor for the area, who is also the town Mayor, Njabulo Siziba, said he
spearheaded the construction of new toilets sometime back but the terrain there was not
conducive for building new structures.
I raised this issue countless times, with the relevant departments at council but what we
found out is that the gradient there does not support construction of any toilets.
As for now we have organised a bowser to provide water for cleaning up the toilet. We are
experiencing a pipe issue that needs to be addressed. That will be done soon,” said the
Mayor.
