The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Alfred Duma municipality has written to the Municipal Manager, Sibusisiwe Ngiba, to urgently intervene in the hazardous state of the Illing Road Bus Rank toilets.
The issue at the bus rank located in the heart of Ladysmith town, started in December 2018 due to an ineffective flushing system.
This problem started during the festive season and we had initially thought that these toilets would be fully functional once the festive season was over. It was not until January 2019 that we wrote to the late Executive Manager of this municipality, Mr Oscar Hlatshwayo asking for his intervention in this matter. After the passing of Mr Hlatshwayo we did not receive any response from the municipality.
In February 2019, after receiving countless complaints from residents, commuters and taxi associations operating in this taxi rank, we wrote to the Municipal Manager, asking whether or not the matter had been attended to and investigated.
It is now almost a year since this incident was first raised, and yet there has still been no communication or action by the municipality.
Currently these toilets are closed and commuters are being made to pay R2.00 to use a 25 litre bucket as a toilet which at most times is always full.
The sewage and smell that come from these toilets are a health hazard and is slowing down business for the street vendors and small shops operating in this area.
It will be even more concerning during the upcoming holiday period when our town will be flooded with tourists looking to explore our city. It is disappointing that the only thing they’ll be taking from this is that we live in a filthy city.
The failing ANC that is governing the municipality is hell-bent on crippling this town, hindering progress in our small businesses.
The DA will continue to put pressure on the municipality to sort out this inhumane situation. We are the only party that prioritizes the residents of Ladysmith and is committed to good-governance.