Toilets built without walls

2010-01-21 09:20

Khayelitsha - Residents of Makhaza section in Khayelitsha have to cover themselves with blankets each time they make trips to the toilet because they were built toilets without walls, The Star newspaper reported on Thursday.

The situation has prompted the ANC Youth League to lodge a complaint with the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), saying what was happening was "tantamount to crimes against humanity".

"Our plea to the [SAHRC] is to compel the city council to build toilet walls to ensure the rights, dignity, privacy and freedom of residents of Ward 95 are protected, to charge the council with violations of human rights and to take it to task for disregarding the constitution and the Bill of Rights," said ANCYL deputy chairperson in the Dullah Omar region, Chumile Sali.

He said this in a letter written to SAHRC chairman Lawrence Mushwana.

Cape Town mayor Dan Plato said the open toilets matter was an arrangement residents had agreed to and that each household was responsible for building their own enclosures.

Resident Ntombentsha Bheja, said she felt humiliated every time she had to use the toilet.

"I was not there when this thing was agreed to. I want a wall around my toilet, but just can't afford it.

"I get a grant. I'm 75 and I feel disregarded as an old person. I expected better treatment by the government," she said.

Resident Sive Jiane said: "I wait until dark because during daytime everybody can see you."

- SAPA