$200 fine for open defecation

AT LEAST 63 percent of residents in Makoni district have no toilets and hazardously rely on the bush system, which leaves them vulnerable to chronic waterborne diseases.

Makoni Rural District Council chief executive officer Dr Edward Pise made the shocking revelations recently when he noted that resettlement areas had the highest number of households without ablution facilities.

However, at a recent full council meeting, the local authority decided to impose a deterrent $200 fine for every household found without a toilet.

“Yes, it is true that our full council meeting resolved to charge a $200 fine on each homestead that does not have a toilet. The number of people without toilets is unsustainable and we cannot fold our hands and leave the situation like that. Only 37 percent of the district’s population has toilets and the rest are relieving themselves in the open,” said Dr Pise.

“The decision was unanimous among councillors and all the traditional leaders who were present at the meeting. We have carried out a number of health awareness campaigns in conjunction with other stakeholders, but it seems our messages are not being taken seriously; that is why we arrived at this decision.”

According to Dr Pise, while it costs more than $500 to treat a cholera patient, it costs around $100 to construct a standard toilet.