GEORGE NEWS - The shocking condition of a number of toilets in the Moeggehuur informal settlement is posing a health risk, but the situation is not getting any attention from George Municipality, despite it having been reported.
So complains a resident of the settlement, Mareliza Fortuin.
"Officials from the municipality two months ago did an inspection and they would have returned to fix or replace the broken toilets, but this never happened. Since then, I have reported the situation again, but nothing is done," says Fortuin.
The toilets have been vandalised to such an extent that sewage is ending up in the street. In one case, sewage is running into the erf and up to the wall of an adjacent house.
The owner, Emma Ntozini, says she does not know what to do.
"This is unacceptable. Our health is in danger. Children play in the streets and they will get sick."
Uncertain future
Fortuin also aired the concern of Moeggehuur residents about their future. "We are not sure if we will be allowed to stay on here permanently. There are residents who would be willing to put in their own private toilets, but we do not want to spend the money while there is no certainty about our future."
According to municipal communications manager Chantèl Edwards, Moeggehuur is an informal settlement which was established without approval from the landowner [the municipality].
"Now the George Municipality is required to provide some level of basic services. This settlement is not on the Western Cape Provincial Business Plan and as such there can be no commitment to the possibility of formalisation or any additional services being installed."
Vandalism by community members
The municipality provided 13 fully functional toilets in accordance with the national norm of one toilet for five families. There are 58 informal structures in the settlement.
"After inspection, it was found that seven toilets were operational and six toilets, after being repeatedly fixed, have been vandalised once again.
The cisterns have been removed and the pipes feeding the toilet with water have been damaged or removed, rendering the toilets unusable. Toilet seats are also being broken."
A monitoring team of the municipality inspects the toilets once weekly, but the frequency of vandalism by the community places a huge financial burden on the municipal budget.
Please, please, report vandalism
"It ultimately has this negative impact on service delivery in this settlement. The municipality asks the community to assist and report such vandals. We implore the citizens of George to assist in combatting vandalism by promptly reporting incidents to the official channels of the municipality and the police. Vandalism is a criminal act that ultimately burdens ratepayers and deprives communities of essential services," said Edwards.
The public can help the authorities act against the perpetrators by taking pictures of the culprits in the act without endangering themselves.
The municipality offers a reward of R2 500 for information leading to the successful conviction of vandals in a court of law. Informants may provide their details to the relevant authorities, and their identities will be protected by the municipality.
To be eligible for the reward, report incidents to 0860 044 044.
Incidents of vandalism can also be reported to the SAPS and Law Enforcement (044 801 6350 or 044 801 6300 after hours).
Emma Ntozini between two toilets from where sewage seeps to her house, which can be seen on the left. Photos: Alida de Beer
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