Sies, AbaQulusi, shame on you

FOR DECENCY’S sake, we cannot use the words that the member of public used. She was talking about the state of the public toilets at the municipal Traffic Department, the office where the public takes driving licence tests, or renews driving licences.

The words the member of the public used were vulgar synonyms for excrement and faeces. Very vulgar.

But they more adequately describe the condition of the toilets than simply saying they are filthy.

They are hideous. Disgustingly, disgracefully, shamefully hideous.

And this is a public facility, this is a public facility that falls under the umbrella of the municipality’s Community Services department which, among other things, is responsible for health aspects within the municipality.

It is a responsibility evidently neglected.

And yet the Traffic Department is one of the offices of the municipality at which the public is likely to find a queue. It is the office to which someone might drive a learner driver for a test, and have to wait a while, and be “caught short”.

This is why there are public toilets there in the first place.

But only the very, very desperate would use these toilets.

According to the member of the public the toilets have been in this condition for months (why else, she asked, would someone know to take a plank in there?).

Regarding this matter, the Municipal Manager and the municipality’s Media Liaison Officer were asked to comment.

Apart from an acknowledgement of receipt of the enquiry, no further comment has been received.

So, if you have to visit AbaQulusi Municipality’s Traffic Department, a word of advice:

Do “your business” first elsewhere.