THIS STINKS! Neglected ablution facility major concern
Some have even said that they're unsure as to which is worse: the sight or the smell.
Disgusting, vile and shocking.
Those are just a few words listed by many to describe Scottburgh’s public ablution facility, situated at the corner of Scott and Arbuthnot Streets.
For longer than they care to remember, locals and holidaymakers in the area have been forced to bear with the stench that comes from these neglected toilets, particularly on windy days.
Some have even said that they’re unsure as to which is worse: the sight or the smell.
Scottburgh car guard, Basil Biljon, has worked in the area for five years.
He recalls the toilets being in this condition from the time he started.
“Litter lies on the ground, both inside and outside of the ablution block, human faeces are scattered on the toilet floors and urinals are filled with alcohol bottles and cans,” he said.
Mr Biljon is positioned on Arbuthnot Street and has witnessed the shocking reactions from people over the years when they enter and exit the facility.
“It’s horrifying knowing that anyone in desperate need of the toilet has to make do in these conditions,” he said.
“These are the only public toilets available near me and sometimes I even have to cover my nose (luckily my mask helps), and use them although it makes me want to throw up.”
He said that during the recent festive season, he had about 10 people asking him to direct them to ablution block and, after warning them about the conditions and the visitors experiencing it first hand, many were left speechless.
Others said that this is yet another indication of the town losing its value.
Several locals believe that the towns’ bogus car guards, vagrants and prostitutes have played a part in destroying these toilets.
One of many eye-witnesses stated that he had seen a handful of bogus car guards go into the toilets to use drugs.
This statement was backed up after drug packaging was found on the toilet floor.
“When people use drugs, they often behave abnormally which is why some of them defecate on the toilet floor,” said the witness.
On several occasions, Scottburgh Saps has asked the public not to give money to the bogus car guards because they use this money to support their drug habits and continue harassing people and, in this case, cause havoc in the ablution facility.
The only legitimate car guards working throughout Scott Street are those with the official yellow car guard shirts.
Another local added that besides the bogus car guards making a mess, others are forced to use the floor as their own toilet because the actual toilets are always clogged – usually with cardboard.
This facility can also be considered a health hazard because of these unsanitary conditions.
Mr Biljon added that three months ago, after using these toilets, he fell ill.
This week, a handful of elderly women entered this building and were also stunned by what they had seen.
One woman said she felt dizzy after gagging on the unpleasant smell.
A resident living opposite the public toilets said that he has been forced to watch the area deteriorate over the years.
“This place has gone from bad to worse and besides the toilets being in such a state, the area in which it is situated has been polluted so much it can now be considered a mini version of our Humberdale landfill site,” he said.
“The infrastructure is damaged and water often floods the area in front of the toilets and there is simply no vision to beautify this area into a family friendly park space.”
Locals ask that the rubbish be picked up more frequently in the area while a handful even offered to do it themselves.
Mr Biljon recalls the facility being spruced up three years ago, where it was cleaned and had new doors fitted, only to return to its usual state a month later.
For long term maintenance, and to ensure this does not happen again, suggestions from locals include locked toilets which are only opened to the public for specific hours; a security guard on watch to chase away anyone behaving in an unruly manner inside; or, the most popular suggestion – a pay toilet where access is only granted to those who pay to use the facility.
The matter has been reported to Umdoni Municipality and to the Department of Health.
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