Mayor insists metro only spent R872-m to buy chemical toilets
“We have provided 39 000 chemical toilets to 600 000 people who reside in the 119 informal settlements to date," - the mayor.
The Ekurhuleni metro recently came under attack after allegations surfaced that it had spent R1.9-billion on chemical toilets over three financial years from 2017 to 2019.
According to the amaBhungane report, the toilets were sourced from 16 small suppliers and it was a get-rich-quick scheme for some underperforming contractors that left many beneficiaries with dirty and broken toilets.
ALSO READ: Metro clarifies its stance on the amaBhungane scandal report into the chemical toilet tender
Responding to the allegations during a media briefing in Germiston on July 10, mayor Mzwandile Masina dismissed the claims that the city had spent R1.9-b. The amount, he said, was R872-million. He further stated that there was no corruption in the awarding of the tender.
“In 2016, the Department of Human Settlements commissioned the Development Bank of South Africa to conduct a GIS-based informal settlements household survey, which confirmed that the total number of households in the informal settlements was about 164 718 at the ratio 1:5, which meant one chemical toilet per five households.
“The survey indicated that we had to deliver 32 943 toilets to achieve the 100 per cent coverage for the 1:5 ratio. The survey further indicated that the City had a backlog of 16 845 toilets,” he said.
He admitted that it was discovered that over 95 per cent of the informal settlements were utilising unimproved pit-latrine that pose serious health risks and possible contamination to the underground water resources.
He added that 16 companies were providing the toilets to 600 000 people living in 119 informal settlements.
“Sixteen service providers were appointed in 2016 on an as-and-when required basis from the date of the award until June 30.
“In terms of oversight, the City of Ekurhuleni received written requests for sanitary facilities from communities through ward councillors, petitions, public meetings, the Siyaqhuba accelerated service delivery programme and more.”
He highlighted that the toilets are cleaned twice a week and the appointment of the 16 service providers was to minimise risk.
Masina said community liaison officers’ roles and responsibilities in terms of monitoring and reporting on the toilets are being revised.
He said new posts for informal settlements marshals were advertised and are being filled.
FOLLOW US:
For more #hyperlocal news at your fingertips, visit Benoni City Times, Springs Advertiser, Brakpan Herald, African Reporter and Kathorus Mail
