19 July 2014
Matthew Goniwe Memorial High School Hall
Site B, Khayelitsha
10h00 – 14h00
On Saturday 19 July the Social Justice Coalition (SJC) and Ndifuna Ukwazi (NU) will host a public hearing on the findings of a week-long social audit on the janitorial service for communal flush toilets in informal settlements in Khayelitsha.
The social audit into the janitorial service entailed comprehensive inspections of more than 600 flush toilets and hundreds of interviews with residents who use the facilities and janitors who clean the toilets in PJS, Nkanini, BM and BT. More than 80 people, representing a number of civil society organisations from across the country participated in the audit.
At the public hearing, participants will present their evidence from the social audit to members of local, provincial, and national government and community members will give testimonies of their experiences of this service.
What is a social audit?
Millions of people across South Africa still do not have access to adequate basic services and are not able to meaningfully participate in service delivery.
A social audit is a tool that enables and encourages community participation and monitoring of government service delivery and expenditure. The process allows communities to understand, measure, verify, report and ultimately improve government performance.
The janitorial service
The janitorial service was established by the City of Cape Town in 2012 following sustained advocacy from the SJC for such a service to be put in place. The service is responsible for the cleaning of flush toilets in the City’s informal settlements and for minor plumbing repairs. Hundreds of thousands of people make use of these toilets on a daily basis.
The hearing provides a unique platform for residents and government officials to engage over a vitally important service that has serious implications for health, safety and dignity and work together towards progressively realising the right to clean and safe sanitation.
Members of the public and the press are urged to attend this important event.
For enquiries please contact:
Axolile Notywala
074 386 1584
Zukiswa Qezo
079 840 5865
Please note – Govan Mbeki road was previously Lansdowne Road