Bulawayo CBD faces public toilet crisis

Authorities in Bulawayo are increasingly worried about the limited number of public toilets in the central business district (CBD), amid growing concerns over open urination and defecation in sanitary lanes and street corners.

The concerns are highlighted in the latest council minutes on the provision of public toilets in the city centre.

According to the report presented by Health Services director Edwin Mzingwane Sibanda, the CBD serves as the city's commercial and administrative hub and experiences heavy daily human traffic from residents, visitors, vendors, commuters and tourists.

Officials say the availability of adequate sanitation facilities is therefore a critical basic service.

"Access to safe, clean, and well-maintained public toilets is critical for public health, dignity and the city's image," the council minutes state.

However, the existing number and distribution of facilities remain insufficient, with some toilets located too far apart, while others are either in poor condition, overwhelmed by heavy usage or understaffed.

The situation has reportedly resulted in increased incidents of open urination and defecation, particularly in sanitary lanes, open spaces and areas surrounding informal trading zones.

Council noted that only 10 public toilets in the CBD are currently operational, a figure considered inadequate for the level of activity in the city centre.

The facilities are also unevenly distributed, leaving some high-traffic areas without adequate sanitation services.

For instance, between 11th Avenue and 15th Avenue there are no public toilets, while two toilets along 15th Avenue remain closed due to their deteriorated condition.

Several of the existing facilities also require urgent rehabilitation and improved management to ensure acceptable hygiene standards, user convenience and sustainability.

Authorities said the problem is worsened by a high rate of vandalism, which has reduced the effectiveness of some facilities.

Of the 10 functional toilets in the CBD, three are free to use and are located at Fifth Avenue and 8th Avenue, while the remaining facilities operate as pay toilets.

Eight of the facilities are owned by the Bulawayo City Council and operate as free, pay or leased-out amenities, while two are privately owned at Egodini Terminus and Pick n Pay.

Outside the CBD, the city has 86 public toilets, but only 18 are currently operational, with the rest closed due to water shedding, labour shortages and disrepair.

Council officials say a Public Toilet Strategy is being developed to guide the provision and management of sanitation facilities across the city.

In the short term, the municipality is considering increasing staffing levels at existing free public toilets, noting that two of the facilities in the CBD are currently manned by only two pan cleaners instead of the required four.

"One pan cleaner cleans both the male and female toilets and due to the busy nature of the toilet, they cannot keep pace with the required rate of cleanliness," the minutes state.

Authorities are also considering leasing at least six additional facilities to convert them into public toilets, rehabilitating existing infrastructure and upgrading ageing facilities by improving lighting, ventilation and security.

In the long term, the council plans to construct additional permanent public toilets in strategic high-traffic areas and develop modern, durable and disability-friendly sanitation blocks.

Officials are also proposing partnerships with private operators through build-operate-transfer or leasing arrangements, while exploring cost recovery through nominal user fees or advertising.