Villagers without toilets face US$50 fine

Villagers in Makoni District who do not have toilets will soon be slapped with a US$50 fine (approximately R920) starting November 1, 2025, as the Makoni Rural District Council (RDC) moves to clamp down on open defecation and improve sanitation.

The decision, confirmed by both local authorities and government officials, has triggered a national debate - with critics blasting it as punitive and tone-deaf, while others defend it as a necessary public health measure.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), government spokesperson Nick Mangwana endorsed the move, saying it aims to promote hygiene and reduce the risk of waterborne diseases in rural communities.

"The Makoni Rural District Council is taking steps to improve sanitation and hygiene in the area. According to recent reports, households without toilets will face penalties, with fines set at $50, effective November 1, 2025," said Mangwana.

Makoni RDC officials say the lack of toilets in some homesteads has become a growing public health concern, contributing to disease outbreaks such as cholera and typhoid. The fine, they argue, is part of a broader initiative to encourage household latrine construction and instil a culture of sanitation.

However, with Zimbabwe's rural poverty rate still alarmingly high, many argue that the policy penalises the very people who lack the means to build toilets in the first place.

The announcement sparked a flood of reactions on social media, where many users accused the government of targeting vulnerable villagers instead of offering support.

"Or government could just build for them," wrote @abziwaya, reflecting a widely shared sentiment that the fines are unfair and unrealistic.

"Some households are too poor to buy cement for latrine construction. Pamba panenge paine just 1 round pole n dagga hut," noted @maparables, calling on the state to provide assistance instead of punishment.

"Vatadza kupedza hurombo vavekuda kupedza varombo vacho [They failed to end poverty, now they want to end the poor]," added @Tayers0, in a cutting critique of the policy.

Some critics went further, accusing the ruling ZANU-PF party of weaponising poverty for revenue generation.

"Fining people for not having toilets is a real low for ZANU-PF," tweeted @zimwildwarrior.

While the backlash has been loud, a section of social media supported the council's move as a step toward modernising rural sanitation.

"This is a very good initiative. Mines and farms all around the country must be primary targets," said @thom_brendon, arguing that basic hygiene must be enforced universally.

However, even among those in support, some questioned whether the RDC had the capacity to enforce the fines fairly and whether the necessary infrastructure, such as access to water, was in place.

"Where is the water, sir? Does that make sense to you?" asked @AfrikenBoi, while @nkuna_alton added, "Your people cannot afford to build toilets, and you want to penalise them instead of helping."

So far, the Makoni RDC has not responded directly to the wave of criticism. It remains unclear whether the policy will be adjusted or implemented as is in November.

Meanwhile, rights groups and health experts are urging the council to adopt a more holistic approach, combining education, financial support, and infrastructure development rather than punitive fines.

With rural sanitation now thrust into the national spotlight, many are watching to see whether this controversial policy will hold - or collapse under public pressure.