25 September 2007
Government has re-affirmed its commitment to meeting its target of
eradicating the bucket toilet system in all formal settlements established
before 1994. The government wishes to announce that significant progress has
already been made in this regard. By August 2007 149 863 bucket toilets had
been removed around the country from the initial backlog of 252 254 in February
2005.
With 103 716 buckets still remaining as at August 2007, the collective
effort of the Departments of Water Affairs and Forestry, Provincial and Local
Government, Housing and South African Local Government Association (Salga) as
well as other stakeholders will ensure that buckets are eradicated by the
target date of December 2007.
As part of efforts to ensure this deadline is met an amount of R1,6 billion
has been made available to provide better and more acceptable sanitation for
all.
Milestones reached thus far include the complete eradication of buckets in
Gauteng, and Mpumalanga provinces. The backlog remaining in North West,
Northern Cape and the Western Cape are few and projects are running smoothly.
Eastern Cape has the second biggest backlog. However projects are under
construction and the December 2007 target is attainable.
The major challenges are in the Free State province, which has the biggest
backlog, of 78 193 buckets still remaining as the end of August 2007. But all
projects in this province are on track and most are in the construction phase.
The 2007 deadline is attainable, but additional focus will be placed on areas
where major challenges in meeting the target are being experienced.
All spheres of government are working together to ensure that plans and
resources are pulled together to meet the deadline. For instance technical
experts have been deployed to municipalities to provide hands-on support to
ensure acceleration of bucket eradication programme.
To give further credence to the government's commitment of ensuring that the
people of South Africa are rid of buckets, no new formal houses or dwellings
will be built without a proper and hygienic sanitation system.
The government wishes to emphasise that bucket toilets in residential areas
established after 1994 will be eradicated through the sanitation programme by
2010. Buckets in informal settlements will be addressed through the National
Housing Programme by 2014.
In conclusion: The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Provincial and
Local Government, Housing, Salga and all stakeholders are working tirelessly to
meet the challenge of improving the quality of life through providing
appropriate sanitation systems.
Enquiries:
Linda Page
Tel: 012 336 8250
Cell: 083 460 4482
Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
25 September 2007
