The once almost complete toilets, which had doors and some windows installed, now sit with just bare bricks after being vandalised.
According to Ekurhuleni spokesperson, Themba Gadebe, the project commenced in 2010 and was valued at around R5 000 000.
There were 1 115 toilets to be completed for occupants from Payneville Extension Three (Gugulethu Everest).
“People were expected to be allocated to the stands in 2011/2012, however, the community surrounding Payneville Extension One took council to court to stop the development.
“They then won the case, which resulted in the construction being stopped,” he says.
Gabede adds that the municipality is not aware of who vandalised the toilets, but they have noted that fittings and materials were removed, possibly to be sold.
He says council is waiting for a hearing date, after it appealed the court ruling against the stands being occupied and completion of the development.
When asked what the plans are, council says it needs to get a response from the judicial system before the development can continue.
A Payneville resident says the community has lost confidence in the government regarding this issue.
“The situation had become so bad that some people take even the bricks from the toilets when they want to build.
“Another major problem caused by these structures, is that at night when you are passing that area, criminals use these toilets to hide and attack us, so we no longer feel safe,” he says.
