Families in informal settlements will have to share a toilet with four other families - unless they are able to prove that they have the means to build walls around those toilets that are being offered to individual families.
The decision comes in the wake of a furore over reports that Khayelitsha residents were having to use unscreened toilets in public areas.
The revelation generated a national outcry.
Mayoral committee member for housing Shehaam Sims said the latest measure was an unfortunate but necessary move.
City officials were accused of human rights violations for failing to provide walls for temporary toilets in Makhaza, Khayelitsha.
There were subsequent calls by the ANC Youth League for the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to take action against the council.
Sims said the accusation had been based on misinformation about the nature of the agreement between the council and community.
According to Sims, one toilet had been erected for every five families in Makhaza by November 2007. Sims said this was the national standard for informal settlement upgrades.
The council had opted to stretch its budget after the community requested a toilet for each family.
This was permitted because the community had agreed to build the outer structures themselves, said Sims.
She said the current ANC councillor in Makhaza's Ward 95 had taken part in the meeting at which this agreement was made.
According to Sims, 1 265 of the 1 316 beneficiaries had received unenclosed toilets by July 2009 and had built their own structures to cover them.
The remaining 51 families, who received their toilets in December, had failed to do so, she said.
"Then along comes the ANC Youth League, which decides to make a huge spill out of it without establishing the facts," Sims said.
She said the council had now decided to revert to the 5:1 ratio that would provide one toilet for five families.
This was presented to ANC chief whip Peter Gabriel, who offered this option to residents.
Sims said 356 beneficiaries out of 540 who attended the meeting with Gabriel had signed a petition against the proposal.
Sims said it was a pity that only residents who could prove they could afford to build the structures would be able to get toilets on a one-per-family basis.
She said the council would provide the details of the petition to the SAHRC.
The decision comes in the wake of a furore over reports that Khayelitsha residents were having to use unscreened toilets in public areas.
The revelation generated a national outcry.
Mayoral committee member for housing Shehaam Sims said the latest measure was an unfortunate but necessary move.
City officials were accused of human rights violations for failing to provide walls for temporary toilets in Makhaza, Khayelitsha.
There were subsequent calls by the ANC Youth League for the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to take action against the council.
Sims said the accusation had been based on misinformation about the nature of the agreement between the council and community.
According to Sims, one toilet had been erected for every five families in Makhaza by November 2007. Sims said this was the national standard for informal settlement upgrades.
The council had opted to stretch its budget after the community requested a toilet for each family.
This was permitted because the community had agreed to build the outer structures themselves, said Sims.
She said the current ANC councillor in Makhaza's Ward 95 had taken part in the meeting at which this agreement was made.
According to Sims, 1 265 of the 1 316 beneficiaries had received unenclosed toilets by July 2009 and had built their own structures to cover them.
The remaining 51 families, who received their toilets in December, had failed to do so, she said.
"Then along comes the ANC Youth League, which decides to make a huge spill out of it without establishing the facts," Sims said.
She said the council had now decided to revert to the 5:1 ratio that would provide one toilet for five families.
This was presented to ANC chief whip Peter Gabriel, who offered this option to residents.
Sims said 356 beneficiaries out of 540 who attended the meeting with Gabriel had signed a petition against the proposal.
Sims said it was a pity that only residents who could prove they could afford to build the structures would be able to get toilets on a one-per-family basis.
She said the council would provide the details of the petition to the SAHRC.
- Cape Argus
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