Homeowners up in arms over Briardene pit toilet project
“Vandals can easily access these toilets and strip them. Also, what about the safety of the children? We hear all sorts of stories about children being raped and babies being dumped in pit toilets. It's shocking that the City has gone ahead with this project,”
RESIDENTS of May Road in Parkhill have joined the uproar of the Briardene community over the recent installation of pit toilets in the area. Last week, more toilets were installed at a park in May Road.
The park borders the Briardene formal and informal settlements and Parkhill.
Prior to that numerous Briardene residents rejected the pit toilet project as they felt it stripped them off their dignity and that it showed no progress in the area.
ALSO READ: Briardene community rejects pit toilet project
Homeowners in the area told Northglen News there are extremely disappointed with the eThekwini Municipality for not consulting with them before going ahead with the installation of the toilets.
Joyce Khuzwayo said one of her concerns is that these toilets are a hygiene hazard.
“These are not flushable toilets. When will they be cleaned? Who is upkeeping them?” she asked. She added that the she was also worried there could be an increase in crime in the area.
“Vandals can easily access these toilets and strip them. Also, what about the safety of the children? We hear all sorts of stories about children being raped and babies being dumped in pit toilets. It’s shocking that the City has gone ahead with this project,” said Khuzwayo.
Happiness Masinga, another May Road homeowner, echoed the sentiments of Khuzwayo and said the value of her property may also be affected.
“Nobody informed us that these toilets will be installed. Our rates and utilities are so high, yet we have to deal with issues like this. The values of our properties have decreased and now even more, due to these toilets. Even if we wanted to sell, nobody will buy our houses,” she said. “Nobody would believe that this is actually Durban North,” she added.
ALSO READ: Body of baby found in mobile toilet
eThekwini Municipality’s spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela said the City is fully aware of the much-needed ablution facilities in the area.
“We are very grateful that we have gone this far to restore the dignity of our residents who initially did not have any facilities in place. We do acknowledge that indeed flushable toilets are needed and would be the ideal solution, however, the City is still in the process of ensuring that this happens,” said Mayisela.
He added that the urine diversion toilets in the area are a temporary measure which the City put in place while it began the process to install flushable toilets.
“We plead with our residents to understand that the project is still in the planning phase and will take time. We ask that they are patient with us .Regarding the safety of the urine diversion toilets, please note that while they are safe for use by children who are past potty-training age, parental supervision is still advised. The City also has measures in place to ensure that the ablution facilities are kept clean and are emptied regularly,” he said.
Mayisela said the City has noted the concerns raised by the community of Briardene and will be addressing them in due course.
“The head of water and sanitation will be personally visiting this project next week to investigate the complaints. A decision will be made after that visit regarding the way forward,” he said.
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