Question NW1558 to the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation

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24 August 2020 - NW1558

Profile picture: Mokgotho, Ms SM

Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation

With regard to the provision of water tanks, mobile toilets and the de-densification and/or reblocking programme that she announced, (a) what number of (i) water tanks and/or (ii) mobile toilets are allocated to Gauteng, (b) what is the role of (i) her department and (ii) municipalities, particularly in Tshwane, regarding the provision of the specified ablution and water facilities, (c) what number of communities and/or informal settlements that have been identified will benefit from the programme and (d) how were the specified communities and/or informal settlements identified?

Reply:

  (a) (i) 3 241 Water Storage Tanks have been allocated to the Gauteng Province.

 (ii) 3 128 mobile toilets have been allocated to the Gauteng Province.

  (b) The provision of Human Settlements is a concurrent function between National, Provincial and Local Governments. The National Government is, amongst others, responsible for developing policies, programmes, implementation guidelines and the disbursement of grant allocations. The provincial and local spheres of government are inter alia charged with implementing human settlements programmes through targeted projects. The National Department of Human Settlements is working in close collaboration with the Gauteng Province, the Cities of Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that urgent provision is made for the upgrading of informal settlements, which includes the de-densification and decontamination of identified overcrowded areas. The collaboration also ensures that households and individuals living in informal settlements, backyard dwellings and hostels, have access to potable water, ablution facilities, healthcare services, and are trained on maintaining the relevant hygiene practices and all other protocols related to COVID-19.

The Department of Water and Sanitation is responsible for ensuring water security for the whole country. This includes ensuring that water as a resource is allocated equitably and used beneficially in the public interest, while promoting environmental values. Schedule 4B of the Constitution places the function of provision of water services at local government (municipalities). In accordance with the Water Services Act, 1997, which regulates municipal water supply and sanitation services, municipalities deemed to be Water Service Authorities are responsible for ensuring that the right of access to basic water supply and sanitation which mandates that “everyone has a right of access to basic water supply and basic sanitation” is realised. Further, Section 11 of the Water Services Act mandates that “every Water Services Authority has the duty to all consumers or potential consumers in its area of jurisdiction to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable access to water services.”

The City of Tshwane, like all other municipalities in the province, continues to provide rudimentary services in informal settlements and is also responsible for the delivery of:

    • 252 (10 000 litre capacity) mobile water tankers
    • 492 (5 000 litre capacity) water tanks

The National Department of Water and Sanitation provided:

  • 3 (18 000 litre capacity) mobile water tankers
  • 407 (5 000 litre capacity) water tanks
  • 114 (10 000 litre capacity) water tanks
  • 37 (2 500 litre capacity) water tanks which were distributed to various regions.

There are forty seven (47) water tanks that were distributed and are operational in thirteen schools at Hammanskraal in Region 2, Lethabong in Region 5, Kanana in Region 6 and Sokhulumi in Region 7.

In total, there are 492 operational water tanks provided by the City of Tshwane, 457 operational water tanks provided by National Department of Water and Sanitation and 18 operational water tanks donated by other organisations which make a total of 967 operational water tanks.

The City of Tshwane delivered the following sanitation services in its informal settlements:

  • a total of 3 935 out of 5 128 chemical toilets have been delivered
  • the balance of 1 193 will be delivered in due course

(c) It is envisaged that 16 000 households will benefit from the Upgrading of Informal Settlements Program which includes de-densification- Beneficiaries will either receive Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) or Permanent Housing Units in their current settlements or be relocated as a last resort.

(d) Informal Settlements prioritised for upgrading and or de-densification to promote social distancing practices are identified on the basis of the levels of overcrowding and inadequate provision of basic services.

The targeted overcrowded areas in the province are Alexandra, Ivory Park, Diepsloot, Zandspruit, Khutsong, Pretoria West Informal Settlements, Mamelodi Phomolong Informal Settlements and Mamelodi Hostels. Other areas are likely to be added, depending on the availability of resources.

The land earmarked for de-densification purposes is identified on the basis of proximity to the affected overcrowded informal settlements or spaces. State-owned, which includes municipal-owned land is preferred.

To date, 403 households have been relocated from Khutsong informal settlement into completed housing units at Elijah Barayi Mega Project under the Merafong Local Municipality.

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