Thousands of Limpopo pupils still use dangerous school pit latrines

Limpopo

According to the Democratic Union Party (DUP), scores of learners in Limpopo are not looking forward to the 2024 academic year due to their exposure to pit toilets that poses danger to their lives.

The party said in 2024, about 83000 learners in more than 210 schools in the province will be faced with the dreadful use of pit latrines.

DUP President, Tonic Ranchidi, said the party is deeply concerned by the ongoing failure of government to eradicate pit toilets in line with the Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public Schools Infrastructure, which banned the use of pit toilets in schools.

“The norms signed by the Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga in November 2013 were aimed to eradicate pit toilets in schools by 2016. Subsequently, the Treasury has, in 2019, allocated R3.4 Billion to completely get rid of these hazardous toilets but nothing has been done,” explained Ranchidi.

He went on to say in January of 2014, a five-year-old Michael Komape drowned in a pit toilet at Mahlodumela Primary Schools and the Department of Basic Education has done nothing to redress the situation of pit toilets to ensure that this tragedy does not repeat itself.

“In September 2021, the Limpopo High Court ordered the department to get rid of pit toilets. The High Court ruled that notwithstanding the budget constraints, the department is duty bound to ensure that there is enough money to build proper toilets in schools. The continuance disregard of the court order by the Department of Basic Education shows the total disrespect of the law and the basic human rights of learners,” he said.

Ranchidi said the DUP frowns upon government, which seek re-election whilst for nearly 30 years has failed its constitutional mandate to offer clean and reliable water and sanitation service.

“We call upon South Africans to reject the ANC and vote for a caring DUP government,” he said.