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The DA demands answers from Sekhukhune District Municipality after the contractor in a toilet project in Ward 20, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality abandoned the project.

The contractor was appointed to construct at least 150 toilets from February to May 2022. Some of the toilets in the project do not have doors, 33 toilet pits were left opened after excavation with no structure at all, some households only received toilet materials without toilet pits being excavated and some of the workers who were employed from the community did not receive their salaries.

The problem is further compounded by the fact that the municipality already paid the contractor for the work that was never completed. The budget of the project was R2million and the municipality remained with only R434,000 retention included.

This project has become an eyesore in the households it was meant to assist and the toilet pits that were left open have become a safety risk, posing a danger to small children.  Incidents of children in the community falling into these pits have already been reported.

The DA will table a motion in the next council sitting for a detailed report on the toilet project and will also submit written questions for details of the municipality’s plans to complete the project as well as actions the municipality is taking against the contractor.

The DA is committed to ensuring that residents have access to decent sanitation and that municipal projects represent good value for the money spent.

Issued by Sipho Mmaboko - DA Councillor in Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality