28 Aug 2014

Francistown councillors have passed a motion requesting the Ministry of Health to amend the Public Health Act on trading premises so it states clearly the procedure regarding the use of sanitary conveniences (toilets) in trading premises.

Tabling the motion at the on-going full council meeting, Councillor Masego Pule said the act should clearly state the procedure for use of such toilets and whether the public should pay for such facilities.

Councillor Pule explained that the act only required for such facilities to be available in trading premises but it was silent on whether the public should pay or not.

She said since in most of the trading premises the use of toilets was paid for, some people resorted to relieving themselves in open spaces and isolated streets resulting in environmental pollution.

Supporting the motion, Councilor Professor Tlou of Itekeng Ward expressed fear that some businesses such as bars might also decide to charge a fee for customers using their toilets if the law was not amended.

Councillor Tlou said the law should not only require for toilets to be available before the premises could be licensed, but it should also state who would be legible to use them in order to avoid abuse by business operators.

He said allowing trading premises to charge people for toilet facilities was setting a wrong precedent to other entrepreneurs and therefore the law should come out clear on whether doing so should be allowed or not. Councillor Ford Moiteela also supported the motion saying operating pay toilets was a business and should therefore be licensed

He said the council should also desist from leasing out toilets for business people to operate as pay toilets but should instead avail them to the public for use and employ people who will take care of them. Councillor Moiteela said while only those who have the money to pay for the service may easily do so, those without may be forced to use the surroundings instead

Councillor Stanley Masalila of Tati Town said, although he did not oppose the motion, public toilets in non-shopping complexes should be paid for in order to make users responsible, while the fees would be used for cleaning, toilet paper and water.

Councillor Masalila expressed fear that failure to charge people for the use of public toilets could lead to vandalism as some people could throw non-flushable items in the facilities.

He, however, said toilets in shopping premises should be used free of charge. The motion by councilor Pule was the only one tabled in the last sitting of the full council. ENDS