CITY OF EKURHULENI CLARIFIES CHEMICAL TOILET CONTRACTS AND CONFIRMS SERVICE CONTINUITY

The City of Ekurhuleni notes recent media inquiries regarding chemical toilet services in informal settlements and wishes to provide clarity. Sanitation is a basic human right, and ensuring safe, reliable services to communities remains a City priority.

Firstly, it is important to correct a misconception. The previous three-year chemical toilet contract was not terminated for non-payment; it simply reached its natural expiry in line with Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes. The City is currently finalising close-out payments for legitimate invoices submitted under the expired contract, and all verified invoices will be settled by 30 September 2025.

Following due SCM processes, new service providers have since been appointed and are actively servicing communities. These providers have already placed toilets in affected areas and are conducting routine servicing and waste removal. Reports of unserviced toilets largely relate to old units from the expired contract.

The City had directed all outgoing providers to remove their assets within 14 days of the contract expiry. Compliance notices were issued, and while most providers have complied certain contractors remain in breach. The City is therefore pursuing penalties and further remedies as provided for in the contract to ensure accountability and protection of public funds.

With regard to Mpilisweni, the situation relates specifically to old toilets. A planned removal last Thursday could not proceed due to objections from the local community. The City is working with the ward councillor and community structures to agree on a suitable removal date that ensures order and safety. Importantly, new providers in the area have already placed toilets, which are being serviced on schedule.

The City’s immediate plan is to stabilise service delivery through the newly appointed providers, conclude close-out payments on all verified invoices by the end of September, and ensure that any outstanding removals from the expired contract are finalised. At the same time, we are engaging with communities and councillors to avoid disruptions and are applying penalties to any service providers that fail to comply with their contractual obligations.

The City of Ekurhuleni will continue to provide updates as the close-out of the old contract is finalised and the outstanding removals are completed.