Residents relieved after contractors finally drain their chemical toilets

Residents from Ramaphosa informal settlement are now breathing a sigh of relief after their chemical toilets were drained last night (March 31) after a long week of smelling faeces.

According to a community leader, Silent Kgaphola, contractors that have been hired by the metro to drain toilets in the area every Wednesdays, didn’t do so on March 25.

“No one communicated anything to us. We still don’t know why they didn’t come to drain the toilets. Residents couldn’t use their toilets because they were unhygienic,” Kgaphola said.

One of the residents, Sipho Mampana, said they had to go to a nearby bush to relieve themselves.

“It became a problem when nature called during the night because it was unsafe to go to the bushes at night. The windows and doors in my house had to be closed at all times because the smell was unbearable. Ants were also coming out of the toilet, which posed a danger to my children who love playing outside,” Mampana said.

Mampana said he didn’t understand why the contractors didn’t pitch last week because it was before the lockdown.

“Even so, the government said people who render essential services will be exempted to continue with their jobs, so I still don’t understand why they didn’t come,” Mampana said.

Kgaphola told the Advertiser the contractors arrived last night around 8pm to drain the toilets.

“We were surprised to see them at night because they normally come in the afternoon, but nevertheless, we are glad that some of the toilets in our area have been drained,” Kgaphola said.

In Joe Slovo informal settlement and other informal settlements across Boksburg there were no hiccups in terms of service delivery.

The Advertiser tried to get comment from the contractors assigned to carry out service in Ramaphosa informal settlement, but its efforts drew blank. The Advertiser also sought comment from the metro.