The Northern Cape government is facing intense scrutiny over a staggering R120 million budget allocated to replace 596 bucket toilets in Campbell.
Northern Cape budgeted R120 million to replace 596 bucket toilets
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This controversy, spotlighted in a June 2023 parliamentary oversight report, has raised serious questions about the program’s financial management.
The project, part of the Northern Cape’s Bucket Eradication Program, has turned heads not just for its hefty price tag but also for its slow progress.
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The report reveals that only 35% of the work is done despite the large sums involved. In the broader scope, the overall program across various towns in the Free State and Northern Cape provinces is chewing through a massive R501 million budget.
Campbell’s toilet replacement project stands out, originally budgeted at R88 million but now ballooning to R120 million.
That’s roughly R222 000 per toilet – a figure that has many, including the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), calling foul play.
It’s not just about the money; the report points to a trail of issues like poor planning and unexpected hurdles contributing to delays and cost overruns.
If other districts follow suit, the Northern Cape could be looking at similarly high costs and challenges.
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The average cost per toilet replacement, around R96 000, is already raising eyebrows.
The Northern Cape’s toilet saga is more than just about buckets and flushing; it’s a story of budget blowouts, slow progress, and big questions on public spending.