Residents of Kliptown in Soweto say they’ve been forced to live under inhumane conditions and in an unhealthy environment. For more than 20 years they’ve been using plastic, chemical non-flush toilets. Some community members claim that they’ve fallen ill as a result. 

Chemical non-flush toilets rely on a combination of chemicals to break down waste and control odour, including formaldehyde. 

Professor Martin Onani, head of the chemistry department at the University of the Western Cape warns of the potential health hazards associated with plastic chemical non-flush toilets. 

“Direct or indirect exposure to toilet chemicals could potentially contribute to or exacerbate conditions like vaginal irritation, bacterial vaginosis, or urinary tract infections. The skin and mucous membranes in the vaginal area are highly permeable, allowing chemicals from toilet products to be absorbed into the bloodstream, potentially causing systemic effects,” he explains. 

A young woman in her early 20s, born and raised in Kliptown, says she stopped using the toilets after she got an infection when she was nine years old. “My private area started itching and swelling. I went to the clinic, but they couldn’t help me. They gave me a prescription and instructions on how to use the medication. At the clinic, they told me the chemicals had burned my private parts. After that, I stopped using the toilets and started using a bucket for my own safety.”

The state of the toilets are a sore point in the community, many of whom have resorted to using buckets as an alternative because of health concerns and for their safety, particularly at night.

“I can’t use the toilet; I have to use a bucket,” says 83-year-old Julia Radebe. “We live in inhumane conditions. But the government doesn’t want to help us; they only come during voting season.” 

The chemical toilets are drained twice a week. Attempts to contact two Kliptown ward councillors for comment on the state of the chemical toilets and efforts to replace them were unsuccessful.

Human Rights Commission Inspection

In August 2019, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) conducted a site inspection in Kliptown following residents’ allegations of human rights violations.

During the inspection, Buang Jones of the SAHRC stated, “What we’ve seen is sheer neglect, a sheer violation of constitutional responsibilities, of ensuring that people live in dignity and enjoy basic socio-economic rights.”

The inspection revealed:

• Grey water running in trenches along streets and yards, pooling in areas, creating a health hazard and drowning risk for children.
• A lack of a proper sewer reticulation system, forcing residents to use insufficient chemical toilets and communal bucket toilets, posing a health risk.

The commission requested that the City of Johannesburg provide direct responses and a copy of the Integrated Development Plan) for the Kliptown area, along with a report detailing the city’s current progress and future plans for IDP implementation, including timelines.

The communication between the commission and the City of Johannesburg occurred in 2019. Attempts to get an update from the City of Johannesburg have been unsuccessful. – Health-e News