The Knysna Municipality has denied that a sanitation crisis is looming, saying that plans were afoot to get funding for 897 chemical toilets in informal settlements.
The municipality said it has approved a budget funding plan and was in the process of identifying internal savings to fund chemical ablution facilities.
According to DA caucus leader in Knysna, Levael Davis, a “looming sanitation crisis” was highlighted during a recent Integrated Human Settlements Section 80 Committee meeting.
“The DA in Knysna will be writing to the executive mayor and acting municipal manager to request their plan to avert the looming sanitation crisis.
“At the meeting, we learnt that the current budget for chemical toilets (would be) depleted by the end of September 2024. An additional R2 877 932 is required to maintain this essential service for the remaining seven months of the 2024/2025 financial year. This situation is unacceptable and demands immediate attention.
“Our residents deserve better. The ANC coalition’s silence on this matter is deafening, and their lack of a clear plan is deeply troubling,” said Davis.
Knysna Municipality said while there is no crisis, the municipality recognised the challenge of funding shortages.
“We are working on identifying alternative funding sources to ensure uninterrupted service delivery, as outlined in the budget funding plan.”
Knysna United chairperson Ralph Stander said the municipality is responsible for proper sanitation.
“The blue toilets are expensive; I suggest that while the municipality pays a supplier for these toilets, they should also invest in installing flush toilets for households. There are already sanitary issues with the sharing of the toilets,” said Stander.
ANC spokesperson in Knysna, Moyisi Magalela, said they noted a water shortage with concern and they have not been resting on their laurels to address the issues.
“Knysna is not immune to drought experienced across South Africa. We also welcome the restriction issued by the municipality and urge the communities to adhere to the restriction.
“We are not surprised with the DA playing politics. It is not true that the coalition is quiet about these issues.
“(The municipality) is still engaged and committed to the section 154 intervention by national and provincial governments.
“The national department visited the municipality in the previous week to assess the progress, and they were happy with progress made by the municipality. This coalition remains committed to service delivery and will not be defocused by the DA who has no interest in service delivery,” said Magalela.
Cape Times