Angela Nothando Mlotshwa
Environment and Health Reporter
In a bid to restore Bulawayo to its original status as one of the cleanest urban centres, the City Fathers and other stakeholders are currently running a clean-up campaign.
Other parts of the city seem to be gradually regaining their glitter however, the authorities at the City Hall seem to be ignoring a ‘sore thumb’ which is right at their doorsteps.
There are underground toilets situated in the city square where the Iconic Tower Block and Revenue Hall are located.
This area is a ‘stone’s throw’ away from the City Hall.
This section of the civil square has been invaded by homeless families who use it as sleeping quarters overnight.
These vagabonds besides littering that section of the square also relieve themselves in this piece of “real estate” which is located in one of the city’s prime districts.
ZIM GBC NEWS got no response from the City Council after enquiring on this matter.
However, their Corporate Communication officer revealed that the toilets will soon be opened after several years of being out of commission.
Below ZIM GBC NEWS publishes the statement from the Bulawayo City Council in full.
“The toilets will be opened shortly. Presently, there are three public toilets in the Revenue Hall area ensuring that people within the vicinity are not short of public toilets. There is a free public toilet and a paid one within 50 meters from the Revenue Hall Public Toilets. The third option is the Council paid public toilets which are within 150m of the toilets under question. The pumping system for the underground toilets was frequently breaking down. The charge is currently US$1 per entry but the fees are currently under review after residents expressed a desire for the fees to be reviewed downwards”, said Corporate Communications officer Bongiwe Ngwenya upon replying ZIM GBC NEWS through an email.