Kopanong residents want flush toilets promised to them

Angry Kopanong residents in the far east of Mamelodi recently chased away a new contractor appointed to deliver new mobile toilets to the area.

They claimed the Tshwane metro promised them flush toilets at the end of the current mobile toilet contract and that was why on August 4 they chased away the new contractor and told them never to return.

Resident Bajabulile Ngwenya said the metro must deliver on its promises.

“We were told ‘no more mobile toilets once the [current] contract expires,’” she said.

However, that turned out not to be true as the metro has decided to get another contractor to deliver brand-new mobile toilets.

The residents vowed to take further action against the metro should it fail to deliver the service it promised.

They said they will continue going to the veld when nature calls or use plastic bags to relieve themselves at night and throw away bags in the veld.

“We want our promised service delivery with proper flush toilets, not these plastic toilets that are always dirty,” she said.

She added they were moved from extension 11 informal settlement to permanent stands in Kopanong in 2015 where they were told to temporary use mobile toilets while waiting for flush toilets “and we are still waiting till today”.

Resident, Samuel Mokwena said they no longer want mobile toilets because the contractors take time to clean them.

“Our health is at risk and seems as if no one cares. We have no choice but to continue using water buckets, plastic bags and go to the bushes when nature calls,” said Mokwena.

He pleaded with the metro to start taking them seriously and think about their health and install proper ablutions in Kopanong as promised.

Metro spokesperson, Lindela Mashigo said the metro, in line with its constitutional objectives, intends to provide sustainable services to its communities including the residents at Pienaarspoort extension 20.

He said residents were informed that they will be provided with the rudimentary services – water and sanitation – when the City has resolved the bulk water issue on that corridor.

“The City at that time appointed the engineer who completed the preliminary designs, and the process is halted by the moratorium issued by Rand Water board about no new application for bulk water connection due to the fact that there is insufficient water from the source,” said Mashigo.

This was initially affecting regions 5, 6 and 7 then later extended to other regions.

He said this was shared and communicated to residents several times.

“It will be fair for the residents to accept the provided chemical toilets and water and work with the City and Rand Water Board on a long term sustainable provision of water and sanitation for Pienaarspoort extension 20 as well as nearby areas.

He concluded that the electricity reticulation is completed, and the City is working on the long term and sustainable provision of water and sanitation.