Online Reporter
THE revelation that 80 percent of Bulawayo’s public toilets are non-functional is not only alarming — it is a glaring indictment of the city’s deteriorating public infrastructure and a wake-up call for the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to treat this issue with the urgency it demands.
Public toilets are not a luxury. They are a basic necessity, a cornerstone of urban sanitation, and a reflection of a city’s commitment to public health and dignity. Their absence or dysfunction, particularly in high-density areas and busy public spaces, poses a serious health hazard, especially in a city already grappling with crippling water shortages and prolonged water shedding.
The council’s own report confirms that five years ago, Bulawayo had 97 blocks of public toilets. Today, more than 80 percent have been shut down, leaving residents with few options but to use facilities that are not only unhygienic but also dangerous. Toilets without flushing systems have become breeding grounds for disease, with councillors warning of fly infestations and the risk of outbreaks of waterborne illnesses.
This situation is exacerbated by the ongoing water crisis. Suburbs such as Cowdray Park, Pumula, and Magwegwe are receiving water for only a few hours each week. In such conditions, the lack of functioning public toilets is not just inconvenient — it is a public health emergency.
The council has cited vandalism and resource constraints as the primary reasons for the closures. While these are valid concerns, they cannot be used as excuses for inaction. Vandalism is a symptom of deeper issues — lack of civic education, poor enforcement of by-laws, and inadequate community engagement. Resource constraints, meanwhile, must be addressed through strategic budgeting, public-private partnerships, and transparent prioritisation of essential services.
Councillors have raised pertinent questions. Ward 12 Councillor Muziwakibo Masuku highlighted the dire state of toilets at Malaba and Masunda Shopping Centres and Desert Grounds in Njube, while Ward 16 Councillor Greater Gumede questioned whether the 2025 budget had made any provision for repairs. These are not isolated cases — they represent a city-wide crisis that demands a co-ordinated and well-funded response.
The council must urgently develop and communicate a comprehensive sanitation recovery plan that addresses the deteriorating state of public toilets across Bulawayo. This plan should begin with an immediate assessment and rehabilitation of critical toilet facilities, particularly in high-density areas and public spaces where the health risks are most severe. Emergency funds must be allocated within the current budget to support these repairs, while temporary mobile toilets should be installed in high-traffic zones to provide short-term relief. In addition, the council should launch community education campaigns to discourage vandalism and promote responsible use of public infrastructure. To ensure long-term sustainability, regular inspections and maintenance schedules must be implemented, allowing the city to monitor the condition of its sanitation facilities and respond proactively to emerging issues.
Furthermore, the council must leverage its Presidential Call to Action blueprint, which mandates local authorities to uphold minimum service delivery standards in water supply, sanitation, waste management, and public health. Failure to meet these standards not only undermines the blueprint but also erodes public trust in local governance.
The issue of illegal activities, such as the conversion of council spaces into unauthorised food courts and car washes, further compounds the sanitation crisis. As highlighted by Councillors Zidya and Nyathi, these activities contribute to the degradation of public infrastructure and pose additional health risks. The council must enforce its by-laws with consistency and fairness, ensuring that public spaces are used appropriately and safely.
Bulawayo’s reputation as one of the cleanest cities in the region is at stake. The current state of public toilets is not just a failure of infrastructure — it is a failure of planning, prioritisation, and political will. The council must rise to the occasion, not with platitudes, but with decisive action, transparent communication, and community engagement.
The residents of Bulawayo deserve better. They deserve a city that respects their dignity, safeguards their health, and delivers on its promise of clean, functional, and inclusive urban spaces.
The time to act is now.
