29 Nov 2018

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso has confirmed that primary schools in Mosu, Mokubilo, Mmea and Khwee use pit latrines.

She said the pit latrines were used as contingencies in cases where there was no water supply which was highly experienced by the sub-district, and when available water borne toilets were dysfunctional. 

She said it was safe to use pit latrine toilets because they were designed such that a reinforced water tight conservancy tank structure was built from the bottom of the pit to the top and closed with reinforced concrete slab. 

She added that the toilets were also equipped with a cone shaped seat to eliminate possibility of any form of accident occurrence. 

Ms Tshireletso also said Gaborone and Francistown city councils primary schools were connected to a centralised sewer network system that was functional, and that there was currently no need for use of pit latrines. 

Ms Tshireletso said where there was reliable water supply, government constructed sewage schemes and facilitates like primary schools and other infrastructure with waterborne toilets were connected to the sewer network. 

She, however, said due to unreliable water supply in most parts of the country, her ministry would continue with usage of safe pit latrines at areas where water was scarce and also as a backup in some areas in case of interrupted water supply. 

Member of Parliament for Boteti East, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe had wanted the minister to update Parliament on the status of toilets in Mosu, Mokubilo, Mmea and Khwee primary schools, and if it was true that the primary schools in these villages still used pit-latrines. 

He also asked if this was the case in Gaborone and Francistown, and if not, why. 

Mr Lelatisitswe further asked if it was safe for children to use these kinds of toilets and hazards thereof, and the government’s position regarding such toilets. ENDS