BUCKET ERADICATION PROGRAMME

BACKGROUND

Access to adequate sanitation is a human right which can be inferred from the right to inherent dignity (section 10 of the Constitution), a healthy environment (section 24 of the Constitution) and access to adequate housing (section 26 of the Constitution).  

Currently, 25 years into our democracy, some South Africans are subjected to this poor system of sanitation. 

Since the inception of the Bucket Eradication Programme, there has been gross over expenditure and under-deliver by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

WHY IS OUTA CHALLENGING IT

To catalyse to total eradication of bucket toilet systems in South Africa.

WHAT IS OUTA GOING ABOUT IT

OUTA aims to expose the extent of over expenditure and under-delivery by the Department on the BEP.

TIMELINE

• 8 May 2018 – letter sent to Minister of Water and Sanitation on the “Challenges at the Department of Water and Sanitation”.  Letter highlights, among other things, issues pertaining to the BEP.  Department failed to respond.

• 23 May 2018 – second letter sent specifically on the BEP, also to no response from the Department.

• 3 August 2018 – Requested, among other things, surface level agreements and verification reports for BEP contracts awarded in the 2015/16 financial year.  information in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).  

• 12 September 2018 – PAIA application granted by Department.

• 28 November 2018 – Requested outstanding PAIA’d documentation.