Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
THE City of Harare has been urged to consider removing charges for access to ablution facilities in the capital.
The call was made by the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife permanent secretary, Simon Masanga, during a clean-up at the Market Square bus terminus.
Masanga said he was concerned that some kombi drivers, conductors and vendors have resorted to relieving themselves using buckets, which are then thrown under parked buses.
“People have rights to clean water and ablution facilities,” Masanga said.
“The City Council maintains the cleanliness of our environment, and we urge residents and commuters to avoid throwing litter everywhere.
“Put waste in the bins provided and use toilets instead of urinating in public.”
He added:
“We are urging the City of Harare to avoid charging fees for use of ablution facilities.
“In this cold weather, people visit toilets many times and some of them have turned to bucket systems, which is a serious health hazard.”
Masanga said the Ministry collected evidence of the practice during the operation, including plastic bottles filled with urine, which were found under buses.
“This is deplorable,” he said.
He commended Geo Pomona Waste Management for improving cleanliness across the city, saying waste collection had significantly improved since the company took over operations.
“Harare has improved in cleanliness since the coming in of Geo Pomona and the collection of waste has significantly improved,” Masanga said.
Speaking the same campaign, Officer Commanding Harare province, Commissioner Maxwell Chikunguru, warned travellers over throwing litter through bus windows.
“Let us consider throwing litter in bins provided in our buses and kombis and avoid throwing litter through windows.
“We have lost lives and some have been left with permanent injuries due to road traffic accidents caused by travellers who throws litter and disturb motorists along the roads,” said Comm Chikunguru.
Vendors, drivers and conductors participated in the clean-up exercise.
