‘Long drops’ finally being phased out

Residents of Ndlambe’s Nemato township welcome R52m sanitation project

THE unbearable smell, flies buzzing around and having to dig holes in one’s backyard will soon be a thing of the past for Nemato residents set to benefit from the Ndlambe Local Municipality’s R52-million sanitation project.

The municipality has set aside R39-million for sewerage reticulation in the area, and R13-million for the construction of 2 490 flush toilets.

The project started last year and 900 toilets have already been built.

Residents – who have had to use long drops which often became too full, forcing them to dig other holes in their yards – said on Friday the toilets would improve their quality of life.

“The smell was unbearable, especially when it is hot. We were forced to stay behind closed doors because it was not only smelly but there would be flies everywhere, Daisy Manyathi, 76, said.