To highlight the ongoing sanitation crisis, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng staged a sit-in at the Emfuleni Local Municipality (EML) offices, demanding immediate intervention and the provision of chemical toilets for residents of the Moscow informal settlement.
The DA alleges that the municipality has consistently failed to provide the community with proper sanitation, despite residents having lived in the area for over a decade.
Kingsol Chabalala, the DA’s Constituency Head for Emfuleni North, said the party is demanding urgent intervention from Sedibeng District’s MMC for Finance, Bishop Jones.
According to Chabalala, the DA wants the Emfuleni Local Municipality to immediately supply chemical toilets to the residents of Moscow as a temporary solution while proper sanitation facilities are being constructed to restore the community’s dignity.
He further warned that if Bishop Jones fails to take action, the DA will have no choice but to report the matter to the Public Protector, as the continued lack of sanitation services constitutes a blatant violation of basic human rights.
Chabalala also stated that the DA has long called on the Gauteng government to formalise the provision of basic services in informal settlements, stressing the urgent need for essential infrastructure such as toilets.
“Unfortunately, this call has largely been ignored, and many informal settlements remain in a state of neglect—despite some, like Moscow, having existed for over a decade,” he said.
He also highlighted that the lack of access to proper sanitation poses serious health risks to the community.
“It is unacceptable that residents are denied access to toilets. This situation poses a serious health hazard that requires urgent attention. Gauteng residents are still recovering from the aftermath of the cholera outbreak and cannot afford to face another man-made disaster,” Chabalala added.
Speaking to The Star, Jones said that the Moscow residents have been illegally occupying the privately owned land since 2021, and it was rezoned as a public facility.
He added that in 2023, the municipality submitted a business plan to have the community included in a proposal for interim services, and they are still awaiting a response from the provincial government.
“We are dependent on the provincial response. We still rely on the province to provide mitigation steps, as this is not within the local municipality’s jurisdiction but the provincial one. The municipality doesn’t have the budget for sanitation, but the province does.”
He added that everyone has the right to report the matter to the Public Protector, but added that the complaint should be directed to the province.
Melita Mkontwana, a resident of the Moscow informal settlement, shared that the absence of proper sanitation has deeply affected her family and community. She said it’s heartbreaking to watch loved ones fall ill due to preventable conditions, all because they have been forced to live without the dignity of basic services.
The Democratic Alliance has conducted a sit-in protest at Emfuleni Local Municipality offices, demanding immediate intervention and provision of chemical toilets for Moscow informal settlement residents.
Image: Picture: Supplied
“My children are always coughing, and my firstborn developed a strange rash around her private parts due to infections she picked up from using the pit toilets,” said Mkontwana, her voice heavy with concern. “It’s painful to watch your children suffer because of something as basic as the lack of proper toilets.”
Mkontwana added that the situation often worsens, especially after heavy rains, which flood the pit toilets and render them unusable. “Sometimes, we’re left with no choice but to relieve ourselves in the open,” she said. “Now the foul smell is everywhere — it’s unbearable and humiliating.”
DA Demands Chemical Toilets for Moscow Informal Settlement. Picture: Supplied
Image: Picture: Supplied
DA Demands Chemical Toilets for Moscow Informal Settlement.
Image: Picture: Supplied
She said that she has been living in the Moscow informal settlement since it was established in 2015. To her dismay, nearly a decade later, there has been no progress.
“What hurts the most is seeing newly established informal settlements receiving better treatment from the municipality — getting water and proper toilets — while we’re still struggling with the most basic needs,” she added.
Mkontwana pleaded with the municipality to urgently provide proper toilets, explaining that residents have run out of space in their yards to dig new pit latrines.
“Just last week, we had to help dig a third pit for one of the elderly residents. We’re now afraid to let our children play near that house because the ground is weakening, and those holes could cave in at any moment,” she said.
The Star
masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za
