By Simon Nare
The DA’s Emfuleni mayoral candidate, Kingstol Chabalala, says he has uncovered a “toilet scandal” during an oversight visit to Evaton, where communal ablution structures erected in 2024 are already falling apart, with some left incomplete.
Chabalala said the corrugated iron toilet project, implemented by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, involved 30 units built on communal stands shared by multiple families.
He said the department indicated that each structure — comprising male and female toilets and a shower — cost R815,000, bringing the total project cost to more than R24 million.
“We will be reporting this seemingly corrupt construction project to law enforcement agencies to ensure that those responsible are held to account,” Chabalala said.
“Each toilet came at a cost of R815,000, with a total expenditure of over R24 million. However, today’s oversight revealed that the toilets are in a state of disrepair, despite the exorbitant amount spent.”
He said the project raised serious questions about possible misappropriation of funds and pointed to “mind-boggling” levels of corruption and financial mismanagement in the ANC-led municipality.
“Residents of Emfuleni are struggling with basic service delivery, yet the ANC-led government consistently prioritises the looting of resources meant to improve the community’s quality of life,” he said.
“Even amid service delivery challenges, such as unreliable infrastructure, the government appears to have squandered R24 million under the pretext of delivering services. This shows a blatant disregard for residents.”
Chabalala added that the communal ablution facilities were degrading, with multiple families, sometimes up to 10 people or more, forced to share a single unit.
He said the oversight visit found some structures already deteriorating, while others remain incomplete, with the contractor allegedly having abandoned the site despite being paid.
INSIDE METROS
