‘Toilets will see foreigner influx’

Illegal mining poses a danger to nearby communities

THE City of Joburg this week handed out 1900 new toilets to the informal residents of Zamimpilo.

This has raised the ire of nearby residents and businesses in Riverlea, Nasrec and Main Reef Road, who claim the majority of residents living there are foreign nationals with no papers and who conduct dangerous illegal mining activities there.

Residents claim that by handing over the toilets, the City, which constantly states that illegal nationals should leave, is tacitly granting them permission to stay.

The residents, who spoke to Metrowatch but do not want to be named, said Zamimpilo was causing the western parts of Joburg to be in danger because these miners were using explosives very close to a fuel and gas pipeline.

In December, mayor Herman Mashaba condemned the Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe, for ignoring his pleas for an audit to be done on the property which runs over two major fuel and gas pipes owned by Transnet and Sasol.

The department said although the area did not pose imminent danger, it had initiated a ground stability study, by the Council for Geoscience, to assess whether there was any longterm damage to critical infrastructure installation as a result of illegal mining activities.

However, neighbouring residents were not happy.

“Everyone is now aware of the potential dangers and the complaints of residents, yet the city is formalising the settlement by installing the new toilets which will encourage more people to start squatting there. We live in constant fear – every time we hear explosives go off we fear a major disaster after we saw reports on how close to the pipeline they were digging,” said one resident.

However, when opening the new toilets, Mashaba said sanitation was a basic human requirement, which contributed to human dignity and quality of life.

“It is an essential tool in the fight against poverty and inequality. It is for this reason that I am proud to be handing over these facilities today,” he said.

Some R4 million was used to complete this phase of the project, which included connection to the existing sewer infrastructure and the installation of solar panels for lighting.

A further 2 659 households will be serviced in the second phase expected to be completed next month.

THE City of Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba, through Johannesburg Water, handed over ablution facilities to the Zamimpilo Informal Settlement community, effectively servicing 1 900 households.

THE City of Johannesburg, through Johannesburg Water, handed over ablution facilities to the Zamimpilo Informal Settlement community, effectively servicing 1 900 households.