The state-of-the-art ablution facility at Edenvale’s Waste Removal Depot remains vacant while staff are forced to use cramped and ageing ablutions.

Last October, The NEWS visited the depot with Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart, where the building sat locked, looming over the depot.

At the time, Hart said the facility’s construction was part of a bigger project to upgrade the recycling section through to the mini dump site to make recycling at the depot easier.

She said the new ablutions were constructed in 2023.

During The NEWS’s visit last year, staff were reportedly using bathrooms which did not have hot water, functioning toilets or showers with showerheads on them.

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During a recent visit to the depot with Lisa Atkins, Ward 18 environmental development portfolio committee member, the new ablutions facility remained locked and unused.

Although this was the case, Atkins said after she and Hart had communicated with the newly appointed city manager, Kagiso Lerutla, some improvements were made to the staff’s current ablutions.

“A team from the Real Estate Department arrived here with contractors and fixed all the toilets, installed new shower heads, and replaced the geysers.

“I think it is fantastic, I really appreciate that the city manager listened to me. The question remains why this R11m building hasn’t been handed over to the staff since August 2023,” said Atkins.

Initially estimated to have cost between R4m and R5m to construct, Atkins said, according to answers provided by the City of Ekurhuleni in response to questions posed by the DA’s Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, the facility cost over R11m to construct.

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The city stated that the certificate of completion and occupation could not be issued until all outstanding work was finalised.

The city highlighted that the primary delay stemmed from the late issuing of fire safety drawings by the consultant, which was due to internal matters with their sub-consultant.

It said these matters have since been resolved, and the drawings have now been issued.

The latest update from the contractor’s project manager indicates that they are awaiting the authorisation of purchase orders for the required fire materials from their director, after which the materials will be procured and installations completed.

Atkins said the new depot boasts a larger kitchen area for the staff, a canteen area, lockers, individual shower cubicles and is more spacious for the approximate 120 staff members.

“It really upsets me to see the Edenvale team having to endure conditions like this.

“The team at the Edenvale depot is one of the best; they are on time and take pride in their duties.”

A request for comment was sent to the City of Ekurhuleni on February 20, requesting comment by February 23 at 10:00.

At the time of going to print, no comment was received.