This follows a Statistics SA report showing that the use of the bucket system had increased in the Eastern Cape, North West, and KwaZulu-Natal.

However KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu has expressed confidence following the resolution to establish the Premier’s Infrastructure Coordinating Commission, that the province will move with speed to eradicate the bucket system.

“The provincial government is concerned that despite the fact that the bucket toilet system had been eradicated in 2012, Stats SA reports that by June 2013 there were 1 585 new households using this system,” said Mchunu.

“This is the most humiliating system which we are determined to eradicate whenever and wherever it is reported. We are committed to ensuring that all spheres of government work with tighter coordination and sharper timetables to fast-track the construction of quality housing on suitable land, particularly in urban areas.”

 

Premier’s Infrastructure Coordinating Commission

The proposed Premier’s Infrastructure Coordinating Commission would facilitate the speedy collective coordination of all infrastructure programmes and projects in the province.

The province has committed itself to resolving challenges such as the protracted delays by the local, district and metropolitan municipalities. “We are moving with speed with the slums clearance project because we have realised that slums makes it possible for people to use the bucket toilet system.”

 

Slums clearance projects

On the 2 September Mchunu and MEC for Human Settlement Ravi Pillay will visit the Jika Joe informal settlement in Mbali Township, Pietermaritzburg to assess the rollout of the slums clearance project.

To date, there are 114 slum clearance projects in the Province. 29 projects are currently under construction and 85 are undergoing various town planning and related planning activities.