Residents of Motsoaledi informal settlement raised concerns over the issue of lack of sanitary infrastructure in the area on January 30.
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This comes after they were allegedly allocated a new service provider for the drainage of their pit toilets by Johannesburg Water from November 2022.
According to the residents, their toilets were previously drained by a local service provider from when the area was established and they were shocked by the changes which were recently made by Johannesburg Water.
They also alleged that the new service provider does not have the capacity to drain all toilets in the area.
When the publication visited the area, the stench from the pit toilets in the yards could be felt all the way from the streets with five or more shacks congested in one yard and about 20 people sharing one toilet.
“Our people are forced to use the bucket system to relieve themselves, all this because our leaders refuse to take accountability and prioritise their people. This is really said to witness,” Motsoaledi SANCO deputy chairperson, Zukizwa Hutu said.
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She added that families also bore the brunt of possible lung and toilet infections, especially women.
Residents also raised dissatisfaction about the issue having to share leaking public water taps which are on the streets.
“We do not understand why we are still using water taps because by this time each family must have their own taps in their yards since this area is known for being unsafe. We are even scared to go outside after 5 PM because this area is not safe.”
Crime has also been on the rise in the area and six people were recently fatally shot by a group of men and other people were left wounded.
The shooting is allegedly linked to a rival conflict involving Basotho nationals that has been happening in the area for some time now.
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“We live in fear and no one is safe in this place because we do not know what might happen and who is next.
“These incidents have been reported to Diepkloof Police Station but there are no developments even now.
“It’s sad to see innocent people lose their lives over gangsterism and crime,” Motsoaledi SANCO secretary, Mpho Motloung said.
Questions were to Diepkloof SAPS spokesperson but no response was received by the time of going to print.
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