Scrap flawed, irregular toilet tender, party demands

The African Democratic Christian Party (ACDP) is calling for the scrapping of a chemical toilet tender worth billions in the City of Ekurhuleni.

- Itumeleng Mafisa

The tender, worth around R2 billion, has been a matter of concern for councillors following the death of one of the municipality's forensic auditors, Mpho Mafole, who was gunned down last year after discovering irregularities related to it.

Mafole’s audit flagged alleged corrupt procurement processes, including unqualified, “shadowy” companies receiving lucrative contracts, such as Theuwedi Trading Enterprise.

ACDP councillor Palesa Yates said she was shocked to read that a “shadowy company” for which no website could be found has allegedly banked more than R100 million for multiple Ekurhuleni chemical toilet contracts.

“These toilets must be phased out fast. Our people need the dignity of proper sanitation,” she said.

What is wrong with the toilets?

Yates believes that they do not provide a dignified solution for thousands of informal settlement dwellers who lack access to proper sanitation.

“The hard-earned rates and taxes of our residents must go towards sustainable service delivery.