Harare, once a symbol of cleanliness and urban pride, has dramatically deteriorated into a city struggling under its own waste. Known as Salisbury during colonial times, Harare was once the shining capital of Zimbabwe, celebrated for its pristine streets and well-maintained public spaces. Today, however, the city presents a stark contrast to its former glory. It has become a place where the air is thick with the stench of human waste, and public defecation has become a commonplace. This disturbing transformation has been caused by years of gross mismanagement by both the city authorities and the central government.
The city’s decline began shortly after Zimbabwe gained independence, gradually eroding the high standards of cleanliness that once defined Harare. Over time, the city has morphed into a caricature of its former self, where the once bustling streets are now littered with filth. Harare has turned into a public health hazard, illustrating the consequences of poor governance.
Harare’s transformation into an “open-air latrine” is shocking. Pavements, parks, and public spaces, once vibrant with activity, have now become impromptu toilets. This change marks a significant departure from the strict laws that once kept the city clean. The decay of these once-enforced regulations has allowed open defecation and urination to become the norm, turning public areas into unsanitary zones. This grim reality forces residents to conduct their daily activities amidst the filth, a testament to the harsh living conditions in the city.
Veteran talk show host Rebecca Chisamba, also known as Mai Chisamba, expressed her concerns about the current state of Harare. She lamented the loss of the city’s culture of cleanliness, attributing it to a deviation from African values, particularly the concept of “Ubuntu.” “We have lost our Afrocentric ideologies by copying Western cultural beliefs,” Chisamba said. She recalled a time when communal latrines were well-maintained and cleanliness was a communal responsibility. Today, however, such values seem to have been forgotten, leading to the current crisis.
Chisamba also highlighted the growing trend of public urination and defecation, particularly among men. She emphasized the public health risks associated with these practices, pointing out that they are not only a nuisance but also a significant hazard to public health. “Open defecation and public urination are dangerous hazards to people’s health everywhere, not only in Harare,” she warned.
Investigations have revealed that the lack of public toilets in the central business district (CBD) is a major factor contributing to this problem. The shortage of clean, accessible public facilities forces people to relieve themselves in alleys, parks, and other public spaces. Human waste is prevalent in several areas of the CBD, including Innez Terrace, which runs next to the Main Post Office from Nelson Mandela Avenue to Kenneth Kaunda Avenue, as well as Speke Avenue, Harare Gardens, and the Copacabana bus terminus. The city’s sanitary lanes, once used for waste collection, are now littered with human waste, further exacerbating the situation.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has acknowledged the severity of the situation. National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi described public urination and defecation as a public nuisance and an environmental problem that warrants arrest. He emphasized that such actions are offenses under public health regulations and urged the public to report instances of this behavior. “It is a public nuisance, an offense which warrants arrests. If such people are seen urinating or defecating in public, they must be arrested,” Nyathi stated. He added that the police, in collaboration with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), local authorities, and the Health Ministry, have been conducting awareness campaigns to address the issue.
Despite these efforts, the problem persists. Sharon Chaisa, a woman who works in the CBD, expressed her frustration with the situation. She noted that the people engaging in these practices are not necessarily street children but ordinary citizens who have no choice but to relieve themselves in public due to the lack of facilities. “I don’t think these are street children doing such bad behavior, but normal people opting to relieve themselves in alleys and dark corners of the city leaving bad smells everywhere in the city,” Chaisa said.
The Harare City Council (HCC) has repeatedly promised to improve the city’s standards, particularly in terms of providing adequate public toilets. However, these promises have not been fulfilled, and the situation continues to worsen. Council spokesperson Stanley Gama acknowledged the need for more public toilets in the CBD and assured the public that new facilities would be constructed. He explained that the city’s population has outgrown the existing facilities, necessitating the construction of additional toilets. “We will be constructing new toilets around the city and at the same time, people can use mobile toilets. Council has also resolved to install water tanks to make sure we have enough working ablution facilities at any given time,” Gama said.
The deterioration of Harare has had serious public health implications, particularly in light of the city’s ongoing struggle with waterborne diseases such as cholera. EMA spokesperson Amkela Sidange admitted that the agency does not have specific laws addressing open defecation and public urination, referring the issue to the Health and Child Care Ministry. Prosper Chonzi, Harare’s director of health services, expressed deep concern about the widespread practice of open defecation in the CBD. He emphasized that the lack of public toilets and the increasing number of people, including vendors, spending time in the CBD contribute to the problem. “Open defecation is a serious issue. It is totally unacceptable from a public health point of view,” Chonzi said.
Chonzi further highlighted the potential dangers posed by the impending rainy season. He warned that when the rains begin, they will wash the accumulated waste into the city’s water sources, potentially leading to a surge in waterborne diseases. “It is fortunate now that we are not in the rainy season, but imagine when it starts raining and the rains wash all those things to the sources of drinking water,” he cautioned.
The dire state of Harare comes at a time when Zimbabwe is hosting the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Heads of State and Government Summit. While the city has been decorated with flags and other signs of celebration, the underlying issues remain obvious. The visiting delegates may be impressed by the outward displays of hospitality, but they will undoubtedly be shocked by the stark contrast between the city’s appearance and its harsh realities.
