Since its inception earlier this year, the Briardene informal settlement pit toilet project still leaves a foul smell to disgruntled residents, who have reached a boiling point as they claim that the value of their properties continue to deteriorate.
According to Ward 36 Councillor, Shontel de Boer, the project allegedly cost an estimated R1.6 million, and she was not consulted before construction began. “I was not consulted on this matter; residents within and on the boarders of the informal settlement were against it. It’s completely undignified. The department head of Water and Sanitation said so himself that these toilets were not suitable for informal settlements in urban areas, only for rural areas,” explained Cllr de Boer. “Residents say that these pit toilets are devaluing properties. Before there were ablution blocks, however, those were burned down earlier this year and replaced by pit toilets, majority of which are on private property,” claimed Cllr de Boer.
ANC PR Councillor, Thandi Mabaso, who spearheaded the project, pleaded ignorance, stating that the contractors were given to her by orders of the municipality. “As councillors we are told what to do,” she said. Regarding the facilities allegedly built on private property, Cllr Mabaso could not answer, as she was unsure of the details. “As for the ablution blocks, there was not enough money to rebuild them. From my knowledge the departments for ablution blocks and pit toilets are different ones.” Concerned resident, Nellie Somers, who has been outspoken of her dissent toward the project, told Durban North News that there had been numerous follow-ups with Cllr Mabaso since the project was implemented. “I have been on her ‘tail’ for a while now with no response. My question was: on whose authority were the pit toilets installed in the area and on private property?”
According to Somers, at the time of the installation, the ANC branch chairperson, Grant Coka, was at the scene. “Grant said he was not at liberty to tell me on whose authority they were building the pit toilets. He also declined to give me the contractor’s details. The contractor was on site at the time when I asked the question. But I was trying to follow protocol.” Coka was contacted for feedback, however, at the time of going to press, he was not available for comment. “I sent E-services an email as well. In response to my question on building pit toilets on private property, I was told to contact my ward councillor. I sent the response to both councillors. Shontel replied very strongly that she did not authorise pit toilets for Briardene and that they should answer the resident’s question directly. I am not sure if Councillor Mabaso responded,” added Somers.
Another resident, Happiness Mkhwanazi, told Durban North News that not only are residents from the informal settlements unhappy, they are scared to speak out about this issue due to fear of intimidation. “Residents of the informal settlement come to me all the time, but there is nothing I can do. As a community we are not happy, there are flies in our home from the toilets. It’s like we are sitting in a toilet in our own living rooms. I am constantly running up and down during the day to chase away the kids who play near these toilets,” added Mkhwanazi. The pit toilets at schools became the issue of the courts following the death of five-year-old Michael Komape, who died after falling inside a pit latrine at Mehlodumela Primary School in Polokwane seven years ago. President Ramaphosa has previously committed to eradicate pit toilets at schools. “It’s 2021, why are we living like its pre-1994,” said an anonymous resident of the Briardene informal settlement.
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, approached Durban North News upon visiting the settlement, cryptically stating that residents prefer the pit toilets while smiling and touching his nose. According to the DA MPL for Human Settlements in KZN, Martin Meyer, a formal complaint regarding the situation was sent to the MEC not long after the issue was publicised. “Sadly, I have not received a reply as of yet. Informally, I was just informed that it is a municipal matter and not a provincial matter, but I am still waiting for a formal reply.” ANC provincial spokesperson, Nhlakanipho Ntombela, washed his hands, stating that the matter belonged to eThekwini Municipality and was not an ANC one. A referral was made to ANC regional leader, Bheki Ntuli, however, he was unavailable to comment. EThekwini Municipality was contacted several times, however, the response was not forthcoming until the time of going to press. EFF KwaZulu-Natal chairperson, Vusi Khoza, stated that this issue stems from the irresponsibility of the municipality. “It is a disgrace that in this day and age people are subjected to this. It is despicable. They talk about honestly and transparency all the time but it makes you wonder what they are hiding.” IFP national campaign chairpersonm, Narend Singh, was equally scathing. “It is unacceptable that these facilities exist in an urban area, never mind that it is an informal settlement. If people are allowed to settle in the municipality, they should provide these basic needs.”
