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The DA supports the decision by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to report Free State MEC for Human Settlements, Olly Mlamleli, and Minister of Human Settlements, Tokyo Sexwale, to Parliament with the request that they are summoned to explain the failure to enclose open toilets in Moqkaka Local Municipality.

Yesterday, the Mayor of the municipality failed to honour a subpoena by the SAHRC to explain their failure to enclose open toilets in Rammolutsi in Viljoenskroon. It was reported last year that 2300 toilets remained unenclosed in Moqkaka.

I will be writing to the Chairperson of the Human Settlements Portfolio Committee, Mrs Beauty Nomhle Dambuza, to request that she urgently abide by this request by the SAHRC and summon both the MEC and Minister without any delay.

It is unacceptable that nearly two years after the publication of the SAHRC report into open toilets in Moqkaka, that the municipality has failed to address this matter. Furthermore, the municipality’s complete disregard for the powers of the SAHRC reveals an administration which cares little about protecting the rights of its residents.

This dereliction of duty must be put to an end immediately and Parliament must ensure that all those responsible for this failure are held to account.