Magwi County headquarters police station is reportedly lacking a functional pit latrine, forcing officers to escort suspects in custody to nearby neighborhood facilities.
The Chief Inspector of Magwi County Police, Maj. Gen. Ochan has raised concern over the lack of a functional pit latrine at the county police station, a situation that is posing serious health and sanitation risks.
Maj. Gen. Ochan said the only available latrine at the station is full and unusable. As a result, officers are compelled to take detainees to other facilities in better condition.
“The available latrine is full, forcing police to escort suspects to nearby facilities that are in better condition,” he explained.
According to the inspector, in some instances, suspects are left with no alternative but to use the overflowing facility, a situation that raises significant public health concerns, especially during the rainy season when the risk of disease outbreaks increases.
The Chief Inspector has appealed to partners and well-wishers to urgently intervene by supporting the construction of a new latrine at the station.
He revealed that previous requests for assistance had been submitted to the Magwi County authorities, particularly the Department of Agriculture, the WASH department, and other partners, but no response has been received to date.
Despite the challenges, the inspector noted that officers are willing to take a self-reliant approach if provided with basic tools and materials. He said the officers are ready to carry out the digging and construction work themselves to improve sanitation and ensure a healthier environment at the station.