01 Dec 2020

 Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele says the use of pit latrines in primary schools will be discontinued where there is reliable water supply. Mr Modukanele said of the 755 primary schools, 438 were currently using both waterborne and pit latrine, out of which 11 were in Kanye North constituency.  He said the situation was a result of shortage of water. He said there was a need for an alternative to alleviate the situation in case there was no or low water supply.  

Mr Modukanele said pit latrines were designed such that there was minimal chances of accidents occurring. He said pit latrines were taken care of by emptying, cleaning and disinfecting, adding that underground water pollution from leaking of pit latrine contents was prevented by the use of water tight conservancy tanks.

The MP for Kanye North, Mr Thapelo Letsholo had asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development to appraise Parliament on the unsafe sanitation infrastructure at primary schools, and to state the number of primary schools that were still using pit latrines in the country and in Kanye North constituency.

 He also wanted the minister to elaborate on the risks posed by the use of pit latrines to the learners and the environment, and when the use of pit latrines would be discontinued at primary schools in the country. ends