‘We fear our children will fall into these toilets’
Pit toilets were commissioned during a construction period at Greenside Ext 78.
POLOKWANE – “I constantly live in fear that one of the children in the area will fall into the toilet.”
These are the words of a homeowner in Greenside Ext 78 who is complaining about unsafe toilets in the area and which, she says, pose a threat to the safety of residents.
The woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, told BONUS that when constructed, the toilet structures were simply left open. “We do not have a gate, which means that it is not only our children we have to worry about, but our neighbour’s children as well. It is not possible to have someone guard the toilet at all times. This means that there is always a risk of someone falling into the toilet,” she added.
https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/65992/another-learner-falls-into-pit-toilet/
The woman added that it is de-humanising to have to conduct your private business in public, adding that had the toilet been placed at the back of the house, it would not have been a problem.
“We often have to ask our neighbours to use their toilet as during the day, there are people in the vicinity. Passersby tend to throw items into the toilet.”
In 2018, residents of Ext 78, voiced their concerns after three pit toilets in the area collapsed, but were never repaired by the Polokwane Municipality. At the time, residents claimed it had been the case for several months. The Spokesperson for the Polokwane Municipality, Thipa Selala, explained to BONUS that workers in the relevant department will visit the area to ensure the safety of residents.
https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/272439/people-worried-over-open-pit-toilets
He added that the pit toilets were commissioned as temporary structures, while the houses were being built.” There are flushing toilets in each house. The pit toilets were an interim measure and are being discontinued,” he said.
He added that residents will be able to use the toilets inside their homes once the water and sewage team has completed their work.
