Almost all Limpopo schools exclusively relying on pit latrines assisted, reveals report
In 2021, the High Court in Limpopo handed down judgment in the Michael Komape case, ordering the department to provide a list of schools and plans to eradicate pit toilets.
The state of more than 3,500 schools in South Africa forcing children to use pit latrines. Picture: Supplied
JOHANNESBURG - Over 540 of the 564 schools that exclusively rely on pit latrines in Limpopo are being assisted.
This is according to a report by the provincial Department of Education.
In 2021, the High Court in Limpopo handed down judgment in the Michael Komape case, ordering the department to provide a list of schools and plans to eradicate pit toilets.
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In 2024, the department submitted a report indicating that eight schools were left for the removal of pit latrines, which would be completed by the end of March.
In February 2025, however, Section27 conducted visits to some of the schools and found mobile toilets in some of them as an interim solution while the department constructed permanent structures.
The organisation’s media liaison, Pearl Nicodemus, painted a grim picture of the conditions.
“At one school, eight mobile toilets are serving over a thousand learners. They become full very quickly. Within days, these mobile toilets become infested with maggots, have an unbearable stench, and are only cleaned once a week during school hours.”