By Correspondent
Helensvale, Harare, Zimbabwe (News of The South) – Fury is mounting amongst stallholders at Helensvale Market as they continue to operate without functional toilet facilities, despite paying full rent to the Harare City Council. The appalling situation, now entering its second week without resolution, has sparked serious public health concerns and accusations of blatant disregard from city authorities.
The dire circumstances came to light last week when HRH Princess Eugene Majuru, Princess of Harare intervened after being alerted to the plight of the market vendors. Environmental Officer for the City of Harare, Mr John Manyara, took immediate action, assigning Mrs Raradza to coordinate a solution at the local level.
According to Mr Manyara, the Amenities Division under the Department of Works and hitch was identified as the responsible entity for resolving the issue. The division, however, reportedly lacked a functional “honey sucker” (vacuum truck) to empty existing septic tanks or facilitate new installations.
In a concerning display of bureaucratic ping-pong, Harare Water was then approached for assistance. Mrs Raradza successfully organized fuel for their services, with the expectation that they would collect it and proceed with the necessary work last week. Tragically, this never materialised.
Adding insult to injury, Mr Manyara’s update reveals that “this week there is no fuel yet,” effectively stalling any potential progress. He laments the situation, stating that the issue “falls under the purview of other departments” and that their efforts are limited to “pushing the responsible departments to get things done.”
While Mr Manyara and Mrs Raradza appear to be diligently attempting to resolve the crisis, they are seemingly being undermined by the inaction of other crucial departments within the Harare City Council. Mrs Raradza reportedly made arrangements for a new sewer to be delivered to the market by Friday last week, but the lack of diesel from the Amenities Department prevented its transportation. As of today, the sewer remains undelivered.
The consequences of this negligence are far-reaching. Stallholders, who are the backbone of the local economy, are being forced to operate in unsanitary conditions, posing a significant risk to public health. The lack of basic sanitation could lead to the spread of disease and create an environment unfit for both vendors and customers.
Despite these alarming circumstances, Harare City Council bosses appear to be turning a blind eye to the crisis. The continued collection of full rent from stallholders without providing essential amenities has been labeled as “shameless” and a clear indication of the council’s lack of respect for public health.
The situation has reached a boiling point, with calls for immediate action. Public health advocates are demanding that the Harare City Council either close the market until fully functional toilets are installed or provide adequate temporary facilities without further delay.
The failure of inter-departmental cooperation and the apparent lack of accountability within the Harare City Council have sparked outrage. Mr Manyara’s communication suggests that dedicated individuals within the council are being let down by the inefficiency and inaction of others.
“At this rate, heads should roll at Harare City Council,” a frustrated stallholder, who wished to remain anonymous, told this publication. “We are paying for services we are not receiving. It’s a disgrace, and the lack of urgency is appalling.”
The ongoing toilet crisis at Helensvale Market serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Harare’s infrastructure and the urgent need for greater accountability and efficiency within its governing bodies. For the defenseless stallholders, the wait for basic sanitation continues, leaving a dark stain on the reputation of the city council. The question remains: how long will they be forced to endure this stinking shame?
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