PRESENTATION ON OPEN TOILETS

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This presentation serves to provide background and

report on progress regarding the construction of toilet top

structures in areas of Rammulotsi and Marabastad

in Moqhaka.

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Relevant areas were previously fitted with bulk sewer lines during the bucket eradication process.

Basic structure of a toilet (floor slab and relevant toilet furniture) was constructed by the municipality

Community member would then have transferred existing structures from the redundant bucket toilets to the slab provided.

This was done because the funds allocated were not enough to provide complete toilets including top structures.

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A newspaper article titled “ANC’s OPEN TOILET SHAME” was publicized on the City Press edition dated 11 July 2010 with pictures of Rammulotsi toilets with no covers.

An audit was undertaken and the following numbers were established in different towns: ◦ Rammulotsi - 1831 ◦ Marabastad - 390 (As initially identified,

this figure however increased to 520 as old structures were demolished by inhabitants to be rebuild by the municipality)

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As the basic structure of a toilet was already provided the municipality acted in good faith towards the community due to pressure and assisted in the enclosure of these structures.

In addressing the open toilets in Rammulotsi and as a first phase a saving of R1.2m from a similar project was used with the Department’s approval.

Consequently 173 toilet top structures were constructed by Lohan Civils who was already appointed for similar works in Rammulotsi.

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Considering the urgency of the situation and various pressure on the Municipality appointment of service providers were made for the construction of toilet top structures in Marabastad and Rammulotsi :◦ Dilemopumo Construction -1258 toilet top

structures in Rammulotsi ◦ Lohan Civils/Ivoyo - 400 toilet top structures in

Rammulotsi ◦ Jore Construction - 520 toilet top structures in

Marabastad

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Inclusive of the 173 Phase 1 structures a total of 1831 structures were constructed in Rammulotsi and 520 in Marabastad.

In total payments to the amount of R13,653,896.91 has been made from municipal revenues in respect of the above which negatively impacted on other municipal services.

Department Human Settlement has pledged a grant total of R2.5m and the DBSA R7.5m of which only R2.7m was received

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The municipality experienced the following challenges :

◦ Funding ◦ Communities demolishing existing structures ◦ Delayed payment of service providers resulting

in workers and suppliers not being paid and consequently jobs standing.

◦ National strike in the engineering sector industry.

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Open toilets identified :1831 in Rammulotsi and 520 in Marabastad.

173 Top structures were constructed in Rammulotsi by means of a saving on a similar project.

Three service providers appointed to construct the remaining 1658 structures in Rammulotsi and 520 structures in Marabastad respectively.

All of above structures as appointed for has been constructed and an amount of R13,653,896.91 has been paid from Municipal own revenue.

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Department Human Settlement has provided at total grant of R2.5m and the DBSA pledged R7.5m of which only R2.7m was received.

Drawings for the enclosure of the structures were provided by a consultant and approved by both DBSA and Human Settlements and these were used for quality control purposes.

Quality compliance concerns were picked up during inspections and contractors notified accordingly to rectify defects and ensure compliance to specifications.

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Defects were addressed by the contractors where after the DBSA agreed to make payment for 600 structures.

Notwithstanding the above an approximate remaining 176 open toilets in the Rammulotsi area is currently being converted by Cmax Construction from funding allocated by Provincial Government with no involvement from the Municipality apart from building supervision.

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Onsite inspection done by the Human Rights Commission, Department of Human Settlements, Moqhaka Local Municipality as well as the media.

Overall all parties were satisfied with the site inspection and only two toilets were identified that must be closed as soon as possible.  

It was concluded that if these two toilets are closed the chapter of open toilets in Rammulotsi will be closed.

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The Municipality’s responsibility is to provide bulk infrastructure up to the boundary from where it becomes the responsibility of the resident to provide his own facilities.

The public’s inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected are maintained by the provision of the necessary bulk service to accommodate the collection and disposal of sewage emanating from households.  

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The Water Services Act, Act 108 of 1997, defines the responsibility of a Municipality (Water Service Authority) in regard to basic sanitation provision as follows:

◦ “the prescribed minimum standard of services necessary for a safe, hygienic and adequate collection, removal, disposal or purification of human excreta, domestic waste water and sewage from households, including informal households.”

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The enclosure of the open toilet top structures identified within the Municipality in the areas of Rammulotsi and Marabastad were not actually within the core competency of the municipality to enclose but due to political issues and pressure the municipality was forced to implement the project.

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There are still open toilets in Koe Koe village in the Maokeng area but it should be noted that these will not be enclosed by the Municipality as it falls outside the core responsibility and competency of the municipality (Water Services Authority) as they have complied with the minimum sanitation standards in regard to basic sanitation as per the Water Services Act.

Such structures are deemed to be part of Human Settlements competency and should be treated as such.

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Funder Allocation 10/11

Expenditure 10/11

Allocation 11/12

Expenditure 11/12

Allocation 12/13

Expenditure 12/13

MIG 32,144,000 32,144,000 38,661,000 38,661,000 46,897,000 33,610,928

DWA 2,405,064 2,405,064 3,300,000 3,300,000 8,000,000 8,000,000

DOE 4,000,000 4,000,000 7,400,000 6,717.466

HS 64,269,800 52,846,423

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DWA - R2.4mil Investigation of bulk water supply in Moqhaka and Construction of oxidation ponds in SteynsrusR3.3mil Upgrading of water purification plant in Kroonstad (ACIP)R8mil Bulk water supply in Steynsrus (RBIG)

DOE – R4mil Electrification of MarabastadR7.4mil Construction of 66kV overhead line in Kroonstad

HS R64.3milRoads, Water and Sewer in Northleigh - Viljoenskroon

THANK YOU

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