KNYSNA NEWS - Residents of Lower Pezula, an informal settlement in Hornlee, have raised concerns over the alleged dumping of human waste from mobile ablution facilities in their backyards, citing potential health risks and frustration over the municipality’s response. 

Resident Esmeka Jantjies said the problem was linked to a collapsed road that prevented the service provider’s vacuum truck from reaching households to empty their mobile toilets.

“This is not the first time that this issue has been addressed. Our ward councillor does not even respond,” Jantjies said. She alleged that workers were emptying buckets of human waste wherever the truck was parked rather than disposing of the contents appropriately. 

Jantjies also criticised the response to previous complaints, alleging that a municipal representative who recently visited the area accepted workers’ explanation that the substance was water, but did not inspect the locations shown in residents’ video footage. 

She said some of the alleged waste had been dumped in her yard. She does not have a mobile toilet.

Municipality investigates
Acting Municipal Manager Richard Martin confirmed that the municipality was aware of the concerns. 

“The environmental manager has been dispatched to investigate the matter and assess the circumstances surrounding the allegations,” Martin said.

He added that a meeting with affected residents had been scheduled on site to provide an update on waste disposal and disaster-related roadworks. The outcome of this community engagement is not yet known. 

“The municipality takes these allegations seriously and will consider the findings of the investigation in determining the appropriate course of action,” Martin said. The outcome of the municipality’s investigation is still unknown.

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