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News Update – VIP Eradication takes shape in Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu

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Click here to download the PDF for News Update 4 March 2013

Over 700 households in Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu will stop using VIP toilets and pit latrines in the near future, the Executive Mayor Clr Thabo Manyoni has announced. The R20 million eradication project started in November 2012, and has already created 78 jobs in Botshabelo alone. The VIPs and pit-latrines will make way for 300 waterborne systems in Botshabelo and 400 in Thaba Nchu. The entire project includes the construction of a sewer outfall line and sewer reticulation. In the second phase of the project, R70 million will be made available for the bucket system eradication over a period of three years, the EM said at the official launch of the project in Botshabelo’s Section F on Thursday, 28 February.

“We cannot do the toilets all at once, but the intention is to eradicate the VIPs in all three areas of Mangaung, specifically in Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu, as well as the few that are present in Bloemfontein,” Clr Manyoni said. Proper sanitation has always been a priority for the city, based on the belief that what they had been using was not dignified. In this regard, the VIPs and the pit latrines were short term structures until the installation of the water-borne systems, which will provide relief for the affected residents. The launch also comes after Free State Premier, Ace Magashule, urged municipalities to “satisfactorily address the phasing out of the VIP system over the long-term,” at his state of the province last month.

Other projects taking shape in Botshabelo:

  • A road between Section A and B, which the EM demanded should be completed by month end following delays.
  • A new bridge in Section V which will will also be completed by month end for easy access to roads

Click here to download the PDF for News Update 4 March 2013