DA Salt Rock councillor Malcolm Hubner is furious that money which could have been used to fix toilets at Salt Rock beaches, has been reallocated to another ward.
Just short of the festive season, toilets along the coastline which were planned to have been upgraded this year, remain in a dismal state.
However, last week the KwaDukuza council resolved that R400 000 meant to fix toilets in Umhlali which falls under ward 22, were to be reallocated to upgrade the public toilets in Shakaskraal (ward 28) just outside the library.
Hubner said with the festive season approaching and tourism being a priority, the money should have been reallocated within the same ward to fix faults at Grannies Pool, Salt Rock Main Beach and ward 21’s Willard Beach and Salmon Bay.
Also read: Faeces plasters KwaDukuza beach toilets
However, KDM media liaison Sipho Mkhize said the decision to reallocate money to fix the toilets in Shakaskraal was based on restoring dignity to the residents.
“The money was allocated to fix the Umhlali toilet facilities and both the Shakaskraal and Umhlali projects were set to take place this year. However, it was discovered during an assessment that the facility at Umhlali belonged to SANRAL.
“They have made it clear to us that the municipality cannot do any works on their property, therefore we have opted to initiate a process to transfer this facility. We are left with no choice but to wait for this process until it is concluded.”
Referring to the upgrades along the coastline, Mkhize said the environmental impact assessment was causing the delay.
“We have plans to carry out a full upgrade on all KwaDukuza beaches but we have to follow the processes and wait for the assessment to conclude. Until it does, we cannot move forward.”
Hubner, however, believes the decision to reallocate funds from one ward to another was politically motivated.
“It seems this is being done just before elections, where money is being taken out of a DA run ward and given to an ANC run ward. The result is that infrastructure at our tourist destinations suffer.”
Mkhize denied this claim had any basis.
“Council in its entirety, that is all political parties, approved this decision having looked at all factors presented to it. It was definitely not in any way influenced by political motives.”
ANC ward 28 Shakaskraal councillor Doeshee Govender said he did not understand what the fuss was about for R400 000.
“This is only two toilets that are not fit for human use, at least the money is being used for a good cause.”
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