FOR years, residents at the sprawling Dakota Beach informal settlement in Prospecton have had to endure life with inadequate ablution facilities following empty promises from successive mayors.

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On March 5, Ward 90 councillor Shad Nowbuth said despite promises of proper working ablution facilities by the previous eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, the informal settlement’s residents have had to rely on portable toilets. Residents currently have to cross the busy Ernest Clokkie Road to use these portable toilets on the kerbside at any part of the night or day.

“To end the misery of the dwellers, arrangements are being made to utilise Community Infrastructure Project (CIP) funds allocated to Ward 90 to install new ablution blocks in the settlement,” said Nowbuth.

He added that assessors have been on site and a report will be submitted to the Directorate of CIP Programme for consideration.

“Hopefully, dwellers in Dakota Beach informal settlement will be able to answer nature’s call in safety and dignity,” said Nowbuth. For the 2025/2026 financial year, eThekwini allocated R333m for the CIP programme.

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