Informal traders operating in Ward 22, Nkulumane, Bulawayo, have reportedly taken to relieving themselves in plastic bags, due to exorbitant fees charged in public toilets.
At a ward 22 feedback meeting on Sunday, Siphathisiwe Nkomo, a resident, revealed the disturbing new practice.
“We now have a faeces-in-plastic-bags problem. Vendors were allocated designated vending sites, but they abandon them. In these undesignated places, they relieve themselves in plastic bags,” she shared.
Nkomo expressed concerns about finding these waste-filled bags in the mornings and the heightened risk of Cholera.
She also pleaded for a reduction in the public toilet fee at Nkulumane Sekusile, hoping it would discourage the unhygienic practice.
“The exorbitant public toilet fees might be driving residents to use plastic bags. While a fee is understandable, reducing it to at least R1 would be more accessible, considering our limited earnings. Currently, vendors often can’t afford the R5 or $1 charge,” she explained.
Nkomo further highlighted the issue of residents discarding household waste in front of shops and called for stricter enforcement against littering.
She also urged the community leaders to play a more active role in educating residents about sanitation.
Another resident, Elitha Masuku, added that they have witnessed people from other areas dumping waste in their suburb using vehicles.
“The street sweepers work hard, but at night, vehicles come and dump litter here. We’re unsure how to address this,” Masuku said.
Ward 22 councillor, Mmeli Moyo, acknowledged the lack of bins as a contributing factor to the littering problem. “Litter is a major challenge not just in Nkulumane but across Bulawayo. Culture and lack of bins are contributing factors. We’ll try to increase street sweepers to manage hot spots, but honestly, they sweep in the morning, and by day’s end, the piles return,” he explained.
Moyo emphasised the need for stricter laws to punish littering offenders.
Bulawayo Mayor, David Coltart, expressed concerns about how littering hinders attracting investors. “Our city’s littering problem turns it into a dump, opposing our culture and hindering investor interest. They see the mess and view us disorganised. Changing this is crucial, but not easy,” he stated.
Coltart mentioned the authority’s efforts to secure more refuse trucks and plans for larger skips to facilitate waste collection. He also stressed the importance of community education and cooperation in combating littering.
“We all have a responsibility. Let’s educate each other and act as citizens’ police. We have fines. If you see someone dumping, photograph it, report it to your councillor. We’ll follow up and fine those responsible,” Coltart concluded.
