Fouling by drunkards raises a stink in council corridors

The Herald 6 August 1992

HARARE City Council is concerned about drunkards who foul some parts of the city where no sanitary facilities are provided.

“The environmental health problems associated with the fouling of the surroundings by patrons who drink alcoholic beverages around liquor off sales where no sanitary facilities are provided, were on the increase.

“Raids carried out by the Zimbabwe Republic Police in an effort to control public consumption of alcohol have not made any impact,” says the director of health services Dr Lovemore Mbengeranwa.

In his report for 1991, he told the council that long haulage transporters were another cause for concern as they parked vehicles on open spaces where there were no sanitary facilities.

Dr Mbengeranwa said Harare continued to be dogged by the problem of residents dumping refuse on road verges and vacant land.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

◆ Public drinking continues to be a problem in most of Harare’s suburbs. The end result is that drunks just foul anywhere, which is a health hazard to the community. ◆ Harare City Council must provide ablution facilities at all shopping centres and engage the Zimbabwe Republic Police to carry out raids on those found drinking in public.

◆ Stiffer penalties including deterrent jail sentences should be imposed on offenders.

◆ For Harare to return to its sunshine city status, by-laws must be enforced which deter would-be offenders from causing environmental health problems.

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