RESIDENTS staying in emergency homes in Makelas, Humansdorp, recently received much needed container toilets from the Kouga Local Municipality after they had to make use of chemical toilets for the past nine years.
According to Ward 4 Councillor, Freddy Campher, the ‘emergency homes’, which were built as temporary structures, were established in 2012, in Makelas next to Kruisfontein Primary School, for residents in the ward who did not have any accommodation or material to build their own shelter accommodation.
He said when the homes were established nine years ago, residents had to make use of chemical toilets, which were serviced every second or third week.
“Sometimes the service provider took longer to service the chemical toilets, which caused an uncomfortable situation for the residents,” said Campher.
Fortunately, in February this year, the Kouga Local Municipality installed a total of four container toilets spread among 30 households, for easy usage, which they are in the process of connecting to the existing sewerage system.
“The container toilets are a big advantage to the residents in these emergency houses. Many of the residents felt that the chemical toilets were not ideal for them and have even promised to take charge of the newly installed container toilets themselves,” said Campher.
In addition to the container toilets, he said the community also received electricity for the first time in December last year, which was a huge improvement for their way of living.
“The residents were so grateful to the councillor and the municipality for the installation of electricity in the area,” said Campher.
To continue providing land and shelter for many in need, Campher said, in 2015, the planning and development department made at least 363 erven available for people, who had building material to build their own temporary homes and, during the 2017/2018 financial year, these residents received electricity.
In addition, in 2018, 391 fully electrified RDP houses were issued to 391 beneficiaries, right next to Gill Marcus, in Humansdorp.
Furthermore, during the 2019/2020 financial year, 100 erven were issued, while another 200 will be issued this year.
