In Conversation With Palesa Linda Yates-ACDP

The African Christian Democratic Party in Ekurhuleni has raised concerns over the continued reliance on chemical toilets—often referred to as “tender toilets”—arguing that they are an unsustainable and undignified solution to sanitation challenges in many communities. At the centre of the issue is the claim that millions of rand continue to be spent on outsourced sanitation services, rather than investing in permanent, water-borne infrastructure. The party argues that while chemical toilets may serve as a temporary intervention, their prolonged use reflects deeper failures in long-term planning, budgeting, and service delivery. These concerns have been intensified by reports that a company linked to multiple chemical toilet contracts has allegedly received over R100 million, raising serious questions around procurement processes, transparency, and value for money. This brings the conversation into the broader national debate around tender systems, accountability, and whether public funds are being used efficiently to address basic needs. Sanitation remains one of the most critical service delivery issues in South Africa. In many informal settlements and underserved areas, access to safe, clean, and dignified sanitation is still inconsistent. Poor sanitation is not just an infrastructure issue—it directly affects public health, safety, and quality of life, particularly for women and children. The debate also highlights a policy tension: while municipalities often defend chemical toilets as a necessary short-term solution in rapidly growing communities, critics argue that “temporary” measures have effectively become permanent, locking communities into cycles of inadequate service delivery. Instagram · Twitter