The story so far

DA councillor Stuart Pringle said this week that an agreement had been reached with residents of Makhaza three years ago for the municipality to supply toilets - which residents would enclose. According to the city, the decision not to build walls was taken in order to provide more toilets than could be afforded had they had walls.

"The families asked to each have their own toilet and the project manager agreed to stretch the budget, after lengthy discussions involving community leaders, ward forums and the relevant ANC councillors.

"It was agreed that the project would provide as many connected flush toilets as possible while families themselves would construct the enclosures. We negotiated with the community," said Pringle.

Pringle said the city was prevented by community representatives from delivering a truckload of materials to help enclose the remaining toilets.

Western Cape premier Helen Zille, writing in the Cape Times this week, said the project had been supported by the community and ANC councillor Nomfefe Gexa. But Gexa disagreed when contacted by the Sunday Times. She said she only become aware of the city's plans last year after being called to a meeting by the project manager: "They presented it to them in a way that implied that there was little money to play around with and they had no choice. They said they would build them homes and once that had happened, there would be no use for the expensive concrete structures (around the toilets).

"What we have found out is that there is no budget for the houses they have been promised and there isn't even a plan for the construction of that area. Our people have been lied to ... the dignity of black people has been toyed with," she said.