The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is introducing a communal sanitation solution to communities as part of its drive to rid the city of bucket toilets by the end of the year.

The municipality’s initiative to banish the metro of bucket toilets by December 2017 was initiated by the city’s executive mayor Athol Trollip (the then DA Mayoral Candidate) during the run up to last year’s elections.

Thus far the municipality, under the guidance of Trollip, has removed more than 4 000 bucket toilets. This has happened mostly through the relocation of residents to their homes or the sites of their future homes where full flush toilets have been provided.

For the communities who have not yet been relocated the city is introducing a communal sanitation solution.

“Numerous sanitation options were proposed to residents through rigorous public participation processes. It was decided that a communal sanitation solution would be rolled out for those still waiting for homes,” the city said in a statement.

The new facilities will be launched soon and will include flush toilets, showers and wash basins. “Each will be well lit, for safety, and well managed, by community members, to ensure hygienic conditions and, importantly, jobs,” the municipality added.

Community unrest

Meanwhile not everyone is impressed with the municipality’s plans. According to the city some Ward Councillors have chosen to mobilise their communities to demand a number of other services.

“This use of the promised provision of toilets, instead of buckets, as a bargaining tool has delayed the upgrading of their sanitation services and personal dignity,” the municipality said.

“Some have demanded houses before any toilets are provided, while others have demanded electricity. Neither demand is unjustified: it is simply part of a different process, with a different plan and a different budget,” it concluded.