You still need to pay if you want to go

Self-appointed 'workers' from around town take money from the public if they want to use the public toilet facility.

May 7, 2015

Jacobus Myburgh 2 minutes read

Dumisani Gama (right) and his girlfriend Dimakatso Lebale (left) charge the public R2 to use the public toilet facility next to the Krugersdorp Library.

With the rise in living costs it now will cost the public 50 cents more to use a public toilet facility in Krugersdorp.

This the News established since an exposé was published two years ago detailing how self-appointed ‘workers’ from around town take money from the public if they want to use the toilet facility.

At the dilapidated facility next to the Krugersdorp Library in Von Brandis Street three ‘workers’ claim they clean it by using the money they collect from the public to buy cleaning products. They charge members of the public R2 to use the facility.

The dilapidated public toilet facility next to the Krugersdorp Library.

At the time Nkosana Zali, spokesperson for Mogale City Local Municipality said they were looking into the public-toilet issue, but the situation remains.

Dumisani Gama, 22, and his girlfriend Dimakatso Lebale, 22, stand guard at the male and female entrances and said the municipality had given them permission to be there.

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Their ‘clients’ are mostly students and pupils who use the Library, passengers waiting for a taxi at the taxi rank as well as passers-by.

Toilet paper and cigarettes, among other, come at an additional cost.

The newly installed male crip facilities is already blocked with just one in perfect working condition.

Gama, who has a Grade 9 certificate behind his name said that is how he now makes a living. He is a convicted criminal with a rap sheet that includes housebreaking and theft.

“On a good weekday I will make about R150, with Fridays and Saturdays the best days as I easily can make around R250.”

Asked what would happen if someone was unable to pay, Gama said their ‘clients’ would not be denied entry. They just need to explain their situation so they could come to an agreement about the outstanding money.

When requesting proof of the cleaning products all he could provide were two mops. He said they needed to buy more stock.

The facilities were found to be in a terrible state, with the newly installed urinals in the men’s facilities blocked and only one in working condition. Parts of the ceiling were missing.

In the ladies’ facility some of the hand basins were missing and water was leaking from one of the toilets.

What is your opinion on the matter? Do you think those people should be allowed to continue or do you think the municipality is not doing enough to stop or prevent such practices?