Councillors concerned over human waste blockages at homes due to water shortage

Bulawayo City Councillors have expressed concerns over the blockages and improper disposal of pampers experienced in city and home toilets due to shortage of water a move which they said it was likely to trigger the outbreak of diseases such as cholera.

The discussions concerning the issue ensued during a full council meeting recently.

Councillor Lubimbi was concerned about the disposal of human waste, due to water shedding thereby causing a health hazard and pampers were also not disposed properly.

Councillor Mataka Moyo concurred saying that she had observed a dump site in Makokoba near St Columbus High School where litter was over flowing and not attended to.

She was concerned that such sites might cause a disease outbreak.

Councillor Lot Siziba enquired about the criteria used in the selection of refuse collection trucks. He had noticed that truckers operating in his ward were not residents of the area.

"In view of this, local residents had enquired why such truckers were operating in their ward? He was concerned that the truckers lacked good public relations and were in the habit of using foul language. Residents had complained that the truckers collected their refuse bags which they later sold for their personal gain. They preferred that the truckers empty the refuse bags and then return them for re-use," reads latest council minutes.

Councillor Gideon Mangena said that human waste fouling was caused by lack of water to flush toilets.

"Residents should therefore be reminded of such health hazards. He said that
residents involved in illegal dumping should be prosecuted. Documents containing addresses had been found in such illegal dumping points making it easy for Council to apprehend the offenders," he said.

Councillor  Mangena said truckers had started carrying refuse in Emganwini
as a pilot project and what was important was to ensure that refuse was removed on a regular basis.

"As the project was a success it spread to other areas. He was not aware that the selection of truckers should be ward based," reads council minutes in part.

Councillor Collet Ndhlovu supported the proposal that truckers should be from the
respective/local ward.

"It was not fair for outside trucks to come and operate in his ward (27) at
Cowdray |Park as local residents should benefit from this exercise," he said.

He confirmed that residents from his ward had tendered for refuse removal but were never considered.

 Ndhlovu recalled that there was an agreement in terms of which local residents should be considered first/given priority in this exercise.

He was also concerned about the shortage of water and enquired about who had authorised the 72hr water shedding programme as Council had not done so.

"If necessary emergency Council meetings should be convened in times of crisis. He agreed that residents should be advised accordingly and awareness campaigns held in respect of littering and General Hygiene," he said.

Councillor Mlalazi said that broken down boreholes required urgent repairs
especially in view of the current water shedding program.

"Shortage of water caused health hazards and boreholes should therefore supplement municipal treated water for use in flushing of toilets and other household requirements," he said.