Residents urge council to build decent toilets

They also expressed displeasure over the dilapidated state of their communal toilets and bathrooms amid fears that an outbreak of diseases such as cholera was looming.
One communal toilet is used by 12 households instead of four and the residents have called on the Bulawayo City Council to step in and rescue the situation.
When a Chronicle news crew visited the suburb yesterday there were no doors on some toilets and bathrooms with residents alleging that the doors were stolen two years ago.
The sewage pipes which are near water pipes, are also damaged and residents are resorting to tying the pipes with plastic to prevent sewage from leaking.
“The tap that we use to draw the water we use in the house to cook and drink is close by the damaged pipe that is used to dispose raw effluent.
“This poses a great health risk as diseases can spread quickly given the number of people who live here,” said a woman who only identified herself as Ms Masuku.
She said the sewer system was overwhelmed and efforts by BCC should be made to fix the problem.
“The infrastructure, I believe, is being overwhelmed. BCC should act swiftly,” Ms Masuku said.
She said the toilets had been turned into public facilities as people who move around at night also use them, since the yards have no fences.
“We have resorted to locking the toilets to prevent people from abusing them. You wake up in the morning and find someone has defecated all over the place in the toilet. We have no option but to clean someone else’s faeces,” Ms Masuku said.
She said BCC in 2009 had suggested that they fill in forms stating whether or not they are capable of building their own toilets but have not heard from them ever since.
“They came with papers stating that those who wanted to build their own toilets should let them know and we signed them but we have not heard from them,” Ms Masuku said.
Her friend who lives in Iminyela Flats who only identified herself as MaNyathi said the top floor of the flat had no water during the day, due to low pressure.
“Water goes from 6am and comes back at about 7pm. We ask our neighbours downstairs for water during the day to use in the house.
“The problem has been going on ever since I started living here in 2006,” she said.
Ward 13 councillor, Lot Siziba, whose area covers Iminyela acknowledged that there was a problem in the area.
He said Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe, Bulawayo Mayor Clr Thaba Moyo and his deputy Clr Amen Mpofu, toured the suburb recently and saw the gravity of the situation.
“They saw that there was a problem in the old suburbs but the city council says it has no funds to renovate the buildings,” Clr Siziba said.
He said his desire was to see the residents living in a healthy environment with adequate toilets. “It is not good for people to use blankets as doors for the toilets and bathrooms. If there is an outbreak of disease there would be a serious problem.
“If it was up to me the renovations of the toilets would commence as soon as tomorrow,” Clr Siziba said.