Ekurhuleni residents face Christmas without toilets
As the festive season approaches, many residents in Ekurhuleni’s informal settlements face a grim reality: celebrating Christmas without access to functioning sanitation facilities. A prolonged payment crisis within the City of Ekurhuleni has left service providers unpaid, halting critical toilet services across several areas, including Thokoza, Daveyton, Tembisa, Germiston, and Boksburg.
This dire situation has persisted since April in some settlements, forcing residents to endure unsanitary conditions, with devastating health and social implications.
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The Breakdown of Ekurhuleni’s Sanitation Crisis
The root of the crisis lies in the municipality’s failure to settle arrears with service providers tasked with maintaining the bucket toilet system. Reports suggest that the city owes more than R100 million to various service providers, with some accounts overdue by as much as 240 days. This has left over 20,000 toilets unserviced across Ekurhuleni’s informal settlements.
Sibongile Phama, a resident of Vusimuzi informal settlement in Tembisa, described how service providers had gone on a go-slow since April and ceased operations entirely in October. “We are forced to dig holes in our yards and cover the waste with soil. It’s unhygienic and degrading,” said Phama.
Health Hazards and Community Frustration
The sanitation crisis poses significant health risks. Without functional toilets, some residents have resorted to unsafe practices such as dumping waste in local streets, dumping sites, and undergrowth areas where children play. This not only threatens public health but also creates a breeding ground for diseases.
Community leader Zekhina Lekalakala highlighted the community’s growing desperation:
“The government must act immediately. Without toilets, we are vulnerable to diseases. The situation is unacceptable, especially during the festive season.”
Frustration has boiled over in some areas. Residents of Windmill and Lindelani informal settlements recently protested by blocking roads and burning toilets and tyres.
Service Providers Stretched to Breaking Point
The payment crisis has not only impacted residents but also the service providers and their employees. One unnamed service provider disclosed that over 20 companies were affected, with many continuing to work without payment for months. These companies employ hundreds of workers, many of whom come from the same informal settlements they serve.
“We are owed millions, yet we continue to clean toilets without being paid. It’s unsustainable,” the service provider said.
Municipality’s Response
City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini acknowledged the issue, stating that two service providers had been unable to meet their obligations due to cashflow issues. However, he claimed the city was unaware of any delays involving the other 21 service providers.
Dlamini assured residents that R500 million had been allocated to address outstanding payments, promising to investigate the issue and restore services as soon as possible. Despite these assurances, many residents remain skeptical about whether the crisis will be resolved in time for Christmas.
Calls for Action
Opposition parties and community leaders have called for urgent intervention. Refiloe N’tsheke, a Democratic Alliance (DA) member of the Gauteng Legislature, emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent families from enduring the festive season without proper sanitation.
“This is a basic human right. The municipality must pay its debts and ensure residents have access to functioning toilets,” N’tsheke said.
A Festive Season Marred by Neglect
The sanitation crisis in Ekurhuleni underscores broader issues of governance and service delivery in South Africa. While the municipality works to resolve its financial woes, residents are left to navigate the indignity and health risks of living without proper sanitation.
As Christmas approaches, the question remains: Will the City of Ekurhuleni step up in time to restore basic services, or will thousands of residents be forced to celebrate the festive season under appalling conditions?
