One Tap, No Toilets: Komani Informal Settlements Cry for Help

More than 1000 households in Marikana informal settlement share one tap and have no toilets, forcing residents to relieve themselves on open veld while waiting years for basic services promised by the government.

The crisis in Komani’s informal settlements — including Marikana, Nomzamo and Nkwanca — has deepened even as the Eastern Cape government moves to intervene in Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality after the National Treasury withheld funding over financial mismanagement.

In Marikana there is one tap for over 1000 people and no toilets. Nomzamo has two communal taps and zero toilets years after promises were made. Nkwanca has toilets but no taps, leaving residents to walk to temporary housing to get water.

“Human dignity starts with these basic services. Liberating the people only to oppress them!!” said community leader Bulelani Qowa, who accused both Chris Hani District Municipality and Enoch Mgijima LM of ignoring pleas for help for more than a year.

Resident Baxolele Bango said: “We have no electricity, no water taps and no toilets. We were promised toilets and electricity for years and nothing has been done.”

Municipal workers only responded on 11 July after Qowa escalated the matter, unblocking an ablution system in one hour. Residents say that is not enough.

Chris Hani District Municipality did not respond to the questions sent to them.