Cape Town - Residents in Makhaza, Khayelitsha, are again up in arms over incomplete toilets the City of Cape Town installed last year, and have vowed to return to the streets.
In 2010, violent protests erupted in Khayelitsha after residents, led by the ANC Youth League, destroyed corrugated iron enclosures the city had erected, and when the council removed the exposed toilets.
In May 2011, Western Cape High Court Judge Nathan Erasmus ruled that the city had violated the residents’ human rights when, in 2009, about 1 200 toilets without walls and roofs were installed in Makhaza.
In August last year, after consulting residents, the city had the toilets enclosed, as ordered by the court.
On Monday, ANC councillor Andile Lili, who led the residents in protest against exposed toilets, joined several residents in saying that some toilets still had no taps and sewerage connection.
“This community believed this matter was finished, but it seems the city is flouting an order of the court. Families are forced to use their neighbours’ toilets. This leads to arguments and friction. The community wants to take to the streets again,” Lili said.
Lili, who faced being expelled from the council after a disciplinary committee found him guilty of participating in the illegal demolition of homes and making derogatory remarks to Khayelitsha residents last year, said residents had met on Friday and demanded the city be told to solve the toilet issue.
Residents showed the Cape Times at least 15 toilets without taps and sewer connections.
“It is very difficult. We can’t do washing and can’t use the toilet. There is no water. We use the neighbour’s toilet, but at night it is a problem because it is dark. When we want to cook we ask neighbours for water,” said resident Amanda Mazula.
Community activist Thembinkosi Dlisani said: “People feel disrespected. They are angry and feel the council has failed them. The hold their leaders to account, but there is only so much their leaders can do.”
Ward 95 councillor Mpucuko Nguzo said he had approached mayor Patricia de Lille who referred him to the city’s human settlements directorate. Nguzo said he had not received a proper answer.
A city undertaking to construct 1 316 houses in the area had also not been honoured, he said. “There is lot of frustration. Residents say they’ll write to the mayor and if there is no proper response, they’ll have to show their frustration.”
De Lille’s spokesman, Solly Malatsi, said all queries had been referred to Ernest Sonnenberg, the mayco member for human settlements.
In a statement, Sonnenberg said: “Seven out of the 280 units do not have a connection. This is because it requires the inhabitants of these seven structures to relocate, due to the engineering works that are required to make the necessary connection.
“The matter is being dealt with at the highest level possible and a solution will be sought soon.”
Asked about whether residents had been consulted, Malatsi said: “The city has tried to engage them. They’re refusing to move.”
Asked about this, Mazula said she was not consulted.
Lili replied by saying this was not true.
Sonnenberg did not respond to messages left for him. - Cape Times
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