Hwange households still using squat toilets

Thandeka Matebesi

More than 100 households in Hwange’s Empumalanga high density suburb are still using squat toilets which contribute to the clogging of the council’s sewer system, the local authority has revealed.

Hwange Local Board’s Town Secretary Pastor Ndumiso Mdlalose revealed that squat toilets pose a big challenge  as objects can easily enter the sewer system.

“A recent exercise carried out by Council to identify households using squat toilets revealed that a total of 102 premises were still making use of this type of toilet.

Squat toilets are a big challenge as numerous objects ranging from clothes, sanitary pads, stones and soil easily find their way down. Sometimes occupants drop these items accidentally or deliberately, leading to blockages of sewer lines,” said Pastor Mdlalose.

He also revealed that despite several attempts by the council for residents to abandon these  toilets some residents are still using them.

“Last year Council made a resolution to compel property owners using squat toilets to discard them as they were contributing to recurrent sewer blockages and sewage overflows in areas they are predominantly used. Council gave property owners a six-month ultimatum to replace the squat toilets and even elongated till the end of the year.

However, it came to our attention that some households are still using squat toilets”, he said. 

Pastor Mdlalose added that council had resolved to fine those who had gone beyond the timeframe set by council to replace the squat toilets.

“Thus two weeks ago, we gave the property owners a notice to replace these within a month. Failure to which one would be liable to a fine of USD 20 or equivalent at the prevailing inter-market exchange rate.

We are however, satisfied that a number of households have taken heed of our call to replace the squat toilets, from the time we gave them notices,” he said.

Pastor Mdlalose reiterated that it was the responsibility of the residents to construct and maintain ablution facilities at their premises.

“Squat toilets are only found in the old residential area of Empumalanga suburb. These houses were constructed in the late 1970s and 1980s. Council is mandated to construct and maintain public ablution facilities while it is the responsibility of individual property owners to do the same at their own premises”, he said.

In an interview with Community Podium, Councillor for Ward 4, Tendai Sibanda confirmed that the council had communicated with Empumalanga residents on challenges arising from use of squat toilets and some residents had obliged. 

“I can confirm that residents were given 6 months’ notice to construct modern toilets and do away with squat toilets. Most residents have fixed the issue while some are yet to comply. Where some seem to not heed the instruction from council, it’s mainly because the houses are occupied by tenants with the owners living elsewhere” said Councillor Sibanda. 

She added that it was important for such tenants with absent landlords to approach the council and map a way forward so as to avoid being penalised. 

“Dialogue is key, affected residents need to present their issue to the council and see how they can be assisted”, she said.