The Hwange Local Board has blamed the recurring sewer blockages and bursts on households in Empumalanga suburb which are still using squat toilets.
Last year, the local authority called on property owners using squat toilets to replace them with modern toilets.
“However, it has come to our attention that some households are still using squat toilets thus clogging our sewer reticulation system and leading to recurrent blockages and bursts,” the local authority said in a notice.
“Please note that those found using squat toilets will be requested to immediately replace them within a month with effect from 28 February 2023.
Those that fail to do so will be subjected to a penalty of USD 20 or equivalent at the prevailing interbank exchange rate.”
According to the latest Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVac) report, 1 percent of households in Matabeleland North province are using unimproved sanitation services which include pit latrines.
