A long-promised sanitation project aimed at eradicating pit toilets in ward 16, near the Thabong Sports Centre in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, has reportedly been left incomplete for more than five years, causing about 1 500 households to be without access to proper flushing toilets.
The project, initially launched to replace unsafe and unhygienic pit toilets with modern sanitation facilities, has allegedly been abandoned despite a contractor having been appointed. Residents in the T11 Section continue to rely on basic pit toilets, raising concerns about health risks, safety, and human dignity.
According to DA PR Cllr Luttiga Presente, the prolonged delay represents a critical failure in service delivery and governance.
She argues that the situation not only undermines residents’ living conditions but also points to deeper issues of accountability within the municipality.
“The continued use of pit toilets exposes residents to daily indignity and serious health hazards. This situation cannot be allowed to persist,” Presente said.
The DA has raised several unanswered questions regarding the project, including the identity of the appointed contractor, the total value of the contract, how much of the budget has already been spent, and why no action has been taken against the contractor for non-performance.
Presente confirmed that the party intends to formally approach Acting Municipal Manager, Thabo Panyani to demand a full investigation.
“We are calling for complete transparency, including the disclosure of contractual details, the current status of the project, and the whereabouts of the contractor.
“The party has also emphasised the need for consequence management, stating that contractors who fail to deliver should face blacklisting and possible financial recovery measures, while municipal officials responsible for oversight failures should be subjected to disciplinary action,” she says.
The issue has reignited debate around governance and accountability in Matjhabeng, with critics pointing to what they describe as a culture of impunity where projects are abandoned without repercussions.
“Crucially, this matter cannot end with another investigation report that gathers dust. There must be real consequence management. Any contractor who has failed to deliver must be held accountable, blacklisted where necessary and compelled to repay funds if public money has been misused. Likewise, any municipal officials who failed in their oversight responsibilities must face disciplinary action. This culture of impunity in Matjhabeng, where projects are abandoned without consequence, and residents are left to suffer, must end. Public funds are not a blank cheque for contractors’ incompetence and neglect,” says Presente.
“Meanwhile, affected residents in Thabong continue to wait for basic sanitation services, with growing frustration over the municipality’s failure to deliver on its commitments.
“The DA has vowed to continue pressing for the completion of the project and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” says community activist Patrick Mholo.
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