ANC APPALLED AT DA TOILETS IN KHAYELITSHA

The African National Congress (ANC) is appalled by the continued humiliation, daily endured by our people in the Democratic Alliance (DA)-run Western Cape where disregard for the mainly Black Makhaza, Khayelitsha township community has meant toilets without walls (see report).

As the so-called custodians of morals and human rights, the DA has to explain how - under its political leadership - the community of Makhaza who include women and children, have to relieve themselves in open toilets without any privacy. This is no different to relieving oneself in an open bush - a practice reminiscent of the apartheid era.

The question we ask ourselves is: where is the DA's humanity and concern for African people, in particular? This disregard for Africans reinforces the notion that the DA is still racial in its outlook. Are these open, dehumanising and degrading  toilets what the DA will showcase during the FIFA soccer world cup in June?

We support the ANC Youth League's submission to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and share the view that conditions in which residents are subjected to, are dehumanising enough to be given priority by the SAHRC.

Since taking over the reigns from the ANC, the Western Cape under the DA rule has been highly polarised and divided along racial lines.

Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, African National Congress national spokesperson, January 21 2010

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter