New sanitation chambers to benefit community

RESIDENTS of Malacca Road Informal Settlement have welcomed the installation of new sanitation chambers which were recently put up during the festive period. Known as Communal Ablution Blocks or CABs, the modified shipping containers come complete with three showers with doors for privacy, three flush toilets with doors. They also have two hand basins and basins for washing clothes on the outside and have a separate men’s and women’s quarters.

Ward 110 councillor, Pete Graham, who organised the project and oversaw the installation said he was extremely pleased with the final results.

“I’m ecstatic. The ablution blocks before this were terrible. The previous facilities had deteriorated over the years to such an extent that they were barely glorified long drops. The level of contaminated water run off due to a lack of maintenance of the outflow pipes was alarming and created a major health risk. All these problems have now been eliminated,” he said.

Northglen News spoke to some of the residents last week who said the new addition will benefit them immensely. Andile Khuzwayo said the sanitation chamber was a welcomed addition.

“This project has made it easier for me to wash my clothes and it allows the female residents to shower in private and have their dignity back,” he said.

Another resident, Lindokuhle Gumede, said she was able to do her washing with the new abultution blocks.

“I’m very happy these chambers have been put in. We are able to do our washing, and have showers,” she said.