Man caught urinating in CBD, forced to clean up his mess

A man learnt a painful lesson about public hygiene and city by-laws after he was caught urinating in public in the Harare central business district and forced to clean up his own mess in full view of passers-by.

The embarrassing incident unfolded yesterday in an alleyway in the CBD moments after the man had finished relieving himself. Two security guards, who spotted the act, immediately confronted him and ordered him to undo what he had just done.

Instead of arresting him on the spot, the guards handed the man a bucket, instructed him to fetch water and clean the area where he had urinated. Visibly embarrassed, the man complied, pouring water over the spot as onlookers watched.

H-Metro was on the scene and captured the incident on video, which shows the man washing away his urine under the supervision of the guards.

While no handcuffs were used, the humiliation was punishment enough, sending a clear warning to others who may be tempted to turn Harare's alleys into toilets.

Public urination is illegal in the city and offenders risk arrest, fines or prosecution under municipal by-laws. Authorities have repeatedly urged residents to use public toilets and maintain cleanliness in the CBD.

For the man at the centre of yesterday's incident, the message was loud and clear. The next time nature calls, he is unlikely to answer it in public — and will probably think twice before ignoring the nearest toilet.