Residents raise a stink over bucket toilets
RESIDENTS of Scandal informal settlement close to the Galeshewe Day Hospital have been complaining about the foul stench of excrement that permeates the air due to the unattended bucket toilets.
The locals said that Sol Plaatje Municipality has not collected the buckets in almost a month.
They claimed that the terrible stench prevents them from eating or unwinding in their yards or shacks.
They said their repeated attempts to draw the municipality’s attention to the issue have been fruitless.
The residents believe that the municipality has not paid the service provided that was appointed to handle the bucket toilet system.
They also claim that after sending a delegation to speak with their ward councillor, who then approached the municipality, they have received no response.
They did not specify, but they expressed their frustration that if the buckets were not collected this week, they would not hold back in airing their anger.
This follows after the municipality’s promise on Monday that the buckets would be collected on Tuesday.
According to municipal spokesperson Thabo Mothibi, there was a problem with the truck, but it has since been repaired.
Scandal residents have a history of blockading roads in the area when they experience problems with service delivery.
Due to its location at the township’s entrance, this area has seen the most service delivery protest activity in Galeshewe.
According to the residents, protesting is “the only message that Sol Plaatje Municipality understands”.
“We are getting more angry by the day because we can’t stay behind closed doors in this heat,” said the residents. “This is inhuman. The worms are crawling inside and outside of the toilets.
“We have tried to address this issue with the people who are in charge, but nothing is being done.”