JOHANNESBURG – For residents of Empilisweni in Thokoza, the foul smell of uncollected waste has become part of daily life.

Hundreds of families in the informal settlement say their portable toilets have not been emptied for up to three months, leaving the community overwhelmed by the stench and health risks.

The problem seems to stem from a gap between the expiry of one service provider’s contract and the handover to a new contractor. In the meantime, residents are left to cope with unbearable conditions.

Local leaders have called for urgent intervention, warning that the situation could escalate into a public health crisis if not resolved quickly.

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