Abandoned toilet project worth millions of rands a cause for concern

MONSTERLUS – The abandoned pit toilet project in Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM)’s ward 20 is a serious cause for concern among residents.

The abandonment of the project has prompted the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo to demand answers from Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM), a water authority in the district.

According to the DA, the contractor was appointed to construct at least 150 toilets from February to May 2022.

Sipho Mmaboko, DA Councillor in EMLM, says that some of the toilets in the project do not have doors, 33 of pit toilets were left opened after excavation with no structure at all.

Mmaboko said some households only received toilets materials without pit toilets having been excavated and that some workers who were employed from the community did not receive their salaries.

“The problem is further compounded by the fact that the municipality already paid the contractor for the work that was never completed. The budget of the project was R2 million and the municipality remained with only R434 000, retention included. The project has become an eyesore in the households it was meant to assist and the toilet pits that were left open have become a safety risk, posing a danger to small children in the community. Incidents of children falling into these pits have already been reported,” said Mmaboko.

He further said that the DA would table a motion in the next council sitting for a detailed report and would also submit written questions for details of the municipality’s plans to complete the project as well as actions the municipality is taking against the contractor.

Khomotso Ndlovu, SDM Acting Communications Manager, said the municipality would respond on the matter following an investigation.