By OBAKENG MAJE

Most shoppers said they cannot continue to bear the brunt after the Taung Mall management charges them R5 for the usage of the ablution toilets. They said the cost of living is too high and Taung has a high rate of unemployment.

One of the shoppers said, she has an autoimmune disease and she needs to use the ablution facilities more often.

“We would like to request the mall management to reconsider their decision because R5 is too much. I am a diabetic person and need to use the toilet more often. Now, imagine if I come here for more than two hours. How much will I spend?

“If, one is coming to the mall with children, each person is expected to cough R5? This was the bad decision and we urge the mall management atleast to charge us R2. Remember, most of us here are unemployed and Taung is a rural area,” she said.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Eddie Mogorwe shared the same sentiments. Mogorwe said it does not make any ‘business’ sense because the users of those toilets are customers.

“I personally confronted the mall manager who in turn referred me to the Eris Property Group Manager, Carina Roux. I explained to her that most of our people come to the mall to collect their social grants and it is senseless for them to pay exorbitant fees to use the ablution facilities at the mall.

“I was so surprised when Ms Roux said they charge this amount of the money because they provide customers with clean toilets. It is surprising because it is their responsibility to provide our people with clean toilets,” he said.

Mogorwe further said the Eris Property Group should know that the water they use belongs to the community of Taung and it is a crime to charge customers this exorbitant amount. 

He also alleged that the mall manager said the Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority was ‘aware’ of the matter and allegedly gave them a ‘go-ahead’ to charge customers R5.

Meanwhile, Eris Property Group manager, Carina Roux said that charging customers is in line with all other privately-owned properties in the area. She said it is unfortunate and unsustainable for the landlord to keep on maintaining the only free ablution facilities for the entire community.

“We benchmarked with other retail properties in the area and also considered that we offer a higher grade of ablution facilities than any other party in the area. The money is banked into the landlord’s account which is audited. 

“The funds are used to facilitate the purchasing of toilet papers, maintaining the facilities and purchasing water for the facilities when Sedibeng cannot deliver a service.  To date, the landlord has purchased water to the amount of R116. 550 since July 2021 in order to ensure there is water supply when Sedibeng has failed,” she said. 

According to Roux, they have only commenced charging for the facilities since 22 November 2021. She added that her company has spent R240 000 towards COVID-19 Food Parcel relief in Taung as part of their social responsibility.

“We have also spent R65 340 00 towards supply of COVID-19 face masks and R52 163 00 towards fleece blankets for pensioners.  Further roll-out to Home for the Aged was disrupted due to COVID-19 regulations.

“However, plans to support girl child scholars in early 2022 with feminine hygiene products are being finalised. These initiatives were facilitated through the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority offices,” she said.  

Roux added that the mall also pays monthly rental towards the Taung Community Trust. She said the mall opening motivated the upgrade of a formal Taxi Rank and Long Distance bus terminus.

“Essential services such as electricity, water and sewerage in the area were upgraded and new retail offering afforded community members to save on transport to larger, further located towns to facilitate better shopping options.

“The development brought much needed more and safer local banking facility options to the community. Also, stores created 364 direct new full time job opportunities and the centre auxiliary service staff created 18 further full time jobs,” said Roux. 

She said a number of temporary positions also become available during festive trading periods. Roux said the mall also offers a free area for vaccination and monthly onsite UIF facilities for community members.

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