A shortage of technology water and sanitation staff and under-trained administrative managers are among the factors contributing to the deterioration of service delivery in the Free State. This is evident from the South African Human Rights Commission’s report on the state of service delivery in the province.
Corruption was another major reason why municipalities lacked skills, especially at high technical levels. It reports that many senior employees, even at municipal manager level, faced internal disciplinary and even criminal charges.
It has also been found that Free State Eskom municipalities owe more than municipalities in other provinces and have high debt levels compared to other provinces.
Free State Democratic Alliance leader Dr Roy Jankeilsohn said: “The Human Rights Commission report raises important issues relating to service delivery in our municipalities in the Free State. Some of the main reasons for poor service delivery are poor financial management, corruption and water and sanitation mafias operating in the Free State.
Jankeilsohn goes on to say that many of the subsidies given to the Free State by the national government are not used for their intended purpose, but for operational purposes. “The Democratic Alliance notes the important findings and recommendations of the Human Rights Commission.”
Meanwhile, the report on the state of service delivery in the province also shows that the province has the highest number of bucket toilets in the country.
The Human Rights Commission says the bucket toilet system is widespread and doesn’t just affect people’s personal homes.
The committee reports that during the investigation it heard testimonies from schools, health facilities and even prisons that have also been affected.
The report goes so far as to describe the sanitary situation in the province as deplorable and endangering public health and hygiene standards. View the reactions of some residents here.
“Can you imagine not having a toilet? I have to go to the neighbors toilet. What happens if I am sick and have a runny stomach? Can you imagine if I have to go to the toilet at night and the gate is locked? Things went badly. In the end I closed the toilet because the sewer flooded my garden.”
“We have lived here for over ten years and use the same toilet. It is unstable and you should be careful when using it. The children don’t know how to use it. We want the municipality to help us with a toilet.”
Dinilohlanga Mekuto
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