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RDC to fine homesteads without toilets
2 hrs ago |
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Chiredzi Rural District Council (RDC) has resolved to fine households without toilets US$20 per year in an effort to curb high levels of open defecation, which affect the majority of rural homes in the district.
The resolution was announced during a recent full council meeting after statistics from the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC) showed that 63% of rural households in Chiredzi do not have sanitation facilities.
Council chief executive officer Ailes Baloyi, who was represented at the meeting by finance director Dr Misheck Kutumba, said the council had agreed to impose a fine of US$5 per quarter on households without toilets.
"Our district has recorded high open defecation rates and as a result we have resolved that every household without a toilet will be fined US$5 per quarter which is US$20 per year," Baloyi said.
According to the ZimLAC 2025 report, open defecation in the district stands at 43%, raising concerns over public health and environmental safety.
Baloyi said traditional leaders would play a key role in enforcing the new measure, adding that chiefs would also impose penalties in line with customary practices.
"Chiefs will work with us, we are going to fine those without toilets and chiefs will also fine them according to their customs," he said. "Anyone caught defecating in the open will also be fined."
Traditional leaders who attended the meeting welcomed the move, saying it would compel communities to take sanitation seriously.
Chief Sengwe said people in his area had been reluctant to construct toilets despite repeated awareness campaigns, adding that some business centres did not have a single toilet.
"I am happy with the move taken by council. We have been urging people to construct toilets but they were reluctant, we even engaged officials from the Ministry of Health and Child Care but they were not forthcoming," he said.
"Now that council will fine those without toilets, I think people are now going to construct toilets in fear of being fined."
Chief Tshovani, born Eddmore Mundau, also expressed support for the resolution, saying it would accelerate toilet construction in rural communities.
"I am grateful for what council has done, this will drive people to build toilets. In my area I have already started banning large gatherings at households without toilets," he said.
Chief Chilonga, born John Beni, said the measure would help reduce outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
"We are happy with the decision taken by council as it will reduce the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera," he said.
Council officials said the fines are part of broader efforts to improve sanitation, protect public health and end open defecation in the district.
The resolution was announced during a recent full council meeting after statistics from the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC) showed that 63% of rural households in Chiredzi do not have sanitation facilities.
Council chief executive officer Ailes Baloyi, who was represented at the meeting by finance director Dr Misheck Kutumba, said the council had agreed to impose a fine of US$5 per quarter on households without toilets.
"Our district has recorded high open defecation rates and as a result we have resolved that every household without a toilet will be fined US$5 per quarter which is US$20 per year," Baloyi said.
According to the ZimLAC 2025 report, open defecation in the district stands at 43%, raising concerns over public health and environmental safety.
Baloyi said traditional leaders would play a key role in enforcing the new measure, adding that chiefs would also impose penalties in line with customary practices.
"Chiefs will work with us, we are going to fine those without toilets and chiefs will also fine them according to their customs," he said. "Anyone caught defecating in the open will also be fined."
Traditional leaders who attended the meeting welcomed the move, saying it would compel communities to take sanitation seriously.
Chief Sengwe said people in his area had been reluctant to construct toilets despite repeated awareness campaigns, adding that some business centres did not have a single toilet.
"I am happy with the move taken by council. We have been urging people to construct toilets but they were reluctant, we even engaged officials from the Ministry of Health and Child Care but they were not forthcoming," he said.
"Now that council will fine those without toilets, I think people are now going to construct toilets in fear of being fined."
Chief Tshovani, born Eddmore Mundau, also expressed support for the resolution, saying it would accelerate toilet construction in rural communities.
"I am grateful for what council has done, this will drive people to build toilets. In my area I have already started banning large gatherings at households without toilets," he said.
Chief Chilonga, born John Beni, said the measure would help reduce outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
"We are happy with the decision taken by council as it will reduce the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera," he said.
Council officials said the fines are part of broader efforts to improve sanitation, protect public health and end open defecation in the district.
Source - Mirror
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