by James Masango MPL – DA Spokesperson on Human Settlements Date: 02 May 2017 Release: Immediate Type: Press Statement The DA will write to the Human Rights Commission to investigate the slow progress by the ANC Mpumalanga government in eradicating the bucket toilet system. According to Statistics South Africa, Mpumalanga has 11 044 households that are still using the bucket toilet system. This is shameful for the ANC government. The Stats shows that 8 500 households in the province are still using and emptying their own bucket toilets while 2 544 are serviced by municipalities. Steve Tshwete municipality is the worst affected as 2 192 households are currently using bucket toilets. While campaigning for the August 2016 local government elections last year July, President Jacob Zuma told the community of Kwaggafontein that Mpumalanga has eradicated 98% of bucket toilets but clearly this misleading statement from Jacob Zuma excluded the 8 500 households which are still made to use and clean their own buckets. It is worrying that 23 years into our democracy, residents are still using bucket toilets while responsible municipalities lose millions of rands to wasteful and fruitless expenditure. The situation proves yet again that the ANC governs as if the lives of poor residents in Mpumalanga do not matter. The DA believes that residents deserve the dignity of a progressive eradication of bucket toilets. It is for this reason that one of the DA’s top priorities is the eradication of bucket toilets where we govern. We will ensure that Mpumalanga residents are not left behind as we work towards achieving this vision. Media Enquiries James Masango MPL DA Spokesperson on Human Settlements 082 891 0717 Portia Adams Communications Manager 082 319 6666 Sydney Masinga Media Officer 060 971 4297 |