City releases forensic report on Makhaza toilets

On Wednesday, 20 October, the City of Cape Town received an application for the release of the City's forensic investigation into the construction of toilets in the Silvertown housing project. The City firmly believes in the principles of openness and transparency. The City has decided to release the report although it would have firm grounds for withholding it as the matter is currently before the Court.

The City has taken advice regarding the release of the report. Whilst clear legal grounds exist to justify withholding the report, there is no need to withhold the report as its contents will be dealt with by the City in the answering affidavit which it is currently required to submit by the end of this week.

In releasing the report the City has removed the names of all council officials, political office bearers and contractors as no evidence of wrong doing was found during the investigation and the City has a responsibility to protect them from unfair and cynical speculation.

The report clearly stated that the decision to install the toilets was by agreement with the community, and the toilets installed were in addition to the ratio of 1 toilet to every 5 households installed in Makhaza in line with the national housing norm.

As the matter is currently before the High Court it would be premature to discuss its full contents as it will be dealt with by the City in the answering affidavit which it is currently required to submit by the end of next week.

Throughout this entire matter the City has demonstrated a willingness to assist residents with limited resources by originally negotiating a better solution than the national norm with residents after they requested their own toilets rather than communal toilets; and twice volunteering to assist residents who were unable to enclose their own toilets.

The enclosures that the City constructed for these residents were broken down twice by representatives of the ANC Youth League.

The City again confirms that it is willing to reinstall the remaining toilets and re-enclose them with corrugated iron once an assurance is provided that no further destruction of the enclosures will take place.

Statement issued by the Communication Department, City of Cape Town, October 26 2010

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