Mawande Jack

Residents from Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth and East London have invited the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to visit their areas to get a first-hand account of their living conditions.

The SAHRC is holding public hearings on water and sanitation in South Africa. In a letter to the commission, residents from Qaqawuli in Port Elizabeth, Ziphunzana in East London and Joza in Grahamstown claimed their municipalities denied them water, sanitation and other basic services.

Spokesperson for the residents Ayanda Kota said: “The public toilets are locked at the instruction of the municipality. People must cross the freeway to go and relieve themselves at the nearby bushes. A man died after being hit by a car while crossing a road on his way to the other side to relieve himself.”

SAHRC’s Vincent Moaga said lack of water and sanitation significantly impacted on the health of the population.

mawandej@thenewage.co.za