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Gibson Mhaka
ENVIRONMENTAL experts have long identified open-air worshipping spaces, often lacking proper sanitation, as potential breeding grounds for water-borne diseases.
Many urban areas have experienced a proliferation of Apostolic churches engaging in open-air worshipping in spaces where there is no water and ablution facilities.
Now, with the country grappling with a cholera outbreak, the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) is facing a delicate balancing act, between safeguarding public health and respecting religious freedom.
Cholera thrives in conditions of poor sanitation and with many open-air worship spaces lacking even basic facilities, can faith and public health find common ground in the face of this invisible enemy?
Only time will tell.
According to Unicef in Zimbabwe, since the start of the outbreak in February last year, more than 18 000 cases have been reported across all 10 provinces, with 71 confirmed deaths and more than 300 suspected deaths.
Harare and Manicaland provinces are the most affected. One in six new cholera infections in Zimbabwe is affecting children under five.
BCC councillors have long expressed concern over the potential health risks associated with unauthorised worship sites lacking proper toilets.
Churches that congregate in bushy areas are mainly Apostolic Sect groupings and they continue violating the city’s by-laws, by engaging in open-air worship in undesignated areas.
They have for a long time argued that Apostolic Sects that conduct their services in open spaces pose a health threat as worshippers do not have access to ablution facilities and end up relieving themselves in the bush.
Despite threats, arrests and fines on church members, Apostolic Sects have invaded all open spaces in the high-density suburbs and are a potential health hazard as they do not have access to ablution facilities.
The latest council minutes paint a bleak picture. Apparently, for the umpteenth time, the councillors expressed concern over the rising number of open-air worshippers who are establishing illegal prayer sites where there are no toilets.
“Mushrooming of open-air worshippers was of great concern around Greater Bulawayo. A discussion ensued and Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu of Ward 28 was concerned about open-air worship citing that the worshippers had not been removed despite several calls that they be removed from the bushes,” the minutes read.
In response the BCC assistant director of housing and community services Dictor Khumalo advised that the open-air worshippers had been engaged adding that a detailed report on the research made would be submitted.
“The research was made to establish environmental issues and church requirements. A clean-up of the worship sites had been undertaken but in no time they returned to the illegal sites. The identity or leaders of the churches were yet to be established,” explained Khumalo.
An environmental expert, who preferred anonymity for professional reasons, said lack of proper sanitation, including readily available clean water and hygienic toilet facilities, can be potential breeding grounds for water-borne diseases like cholera.
“Open-air worship spaces, with their often inadequate sanitation facilities, can be potential breeding grounds for water-borne diseases like cholera.
“There is no doubt that poor hygiene practices usually associated with open air worship; where worshippers gather in their hundreds, sharing water containers and using makeshift toilets creating a perfect storm for cholera outbreaks.
“The churches are fouling the environment since they do not have toilets, which is in violation of the city’s by-laws,” the environmental expert explained.
The environmental expert said there was a need for the local authority to engage with religious leaders and local communities, advocating for responsible worship practices and highlighting the health risks associated with open-air gatherings without toilets.
Meanwhile, by the time of going to print, BCC had not yet responded to emailed inquiries regarding the local authority’s actions to address potential health risks at unauthorised worship sites lacking proper sanitation facilities, nor had they provided details on fines or penalties associated with conducting sermons in such locations.
Online Reporter