Gap in Cape Town’s janitor contracts leaves communities living in filth

Cape Town's janitor contracts have expired, leaving several informal settlements with unsanitary conditions. Residents in Sinqawunqawu and Lansdowne Road settlements are forced to clean communal toilets themselves or use their government grants to purchase soap. Illegal dumping is also a major issue, with residents piling rubbish alongside communal toilets due to the lack of rubbish bags provided by the municipality.

The City of Cape Town acknowledges the interim gap in service and is actively recruiting replacement janitors, with new hires expected by September 2026. However, the city asserts that janitorial services are not a core function of its Informal Settlements Basic Services branch, and residents must collaborate to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.