A former worker in Brazil restores a toilet that he had displaced

A former city councilor in Brazil has returned the toilet and two sinks he removed from his office after losing a bid for re-election.

Photos of one of Janaína Lima’s staff dragging facilities were posted online as her tenure as Sao Paulo councilor ended.

“I’ve decided to donate the equipment I found with my resources to the room,” he said in a statement to X, following the social media backlash.

“Obviously neither I nor my advisors need a toilet.”

CCTV cameras caught workers in his office removing equipment that was installed when he took office eight years ago.

In a statement posted on social media, Lima said the renovation of the bathroom was paid for with her own money, so it is not the property of the council.

Lima said that she followed the direction of the legal department, which stated that all resources installed by her must be removed.

He told Brazilian media G1 that the hydraulics in the building were “sensitive”.

He added that some of the things he bought for the office – such as a glass partition and industrial-style lighting – will remain in place of his predecessor.

Lima worked as a consultant for the New party until January 1.

The 41-year-old woman lost her seat to Adrilles Jorge, of the Brazilian Labor Party, in the 2024 elections.

At his inauguration on Monday, Jorge mocked G1 saying his team would “use the public pot” until the situation was resolved.

“I visited the office and I thought the building was smart. But he took everything out,” he said.

“They even removed the toilet and sink, he didn’t say anything [that she was going to take them out]. And it’s something he won’t say, and I would ask.”

The new president of the House, Ricardo Teixeira said “appropriate measures will be taken”.