Judgment in the matter between advocacy group Section 27 and the Department of Basic Education has been reserved to a date which is expected to be announced by Judge Gerrit Mueller soon.
Section 27 challenged the Limpopo Department of Education at the Polokwane High Court on Friday over its plan to completely eradicate pit toilets.
The group argues that the department has underspent on infrastructure at schools. The state argues that it could only achieve the eradication of pit toilets at schools by March 2031.
“The judge’s office will be in touch with us to let us know when they will deliver judgement. We will certainly follow up because this case has been pending for seven years and we would like to see a final conclusion. We have done research into the annual report of the DBE themselves, and they have said that they are underspending on their infrastructure budget,” says Ntsikelelo Mpulo, Spokesperson for Section 27.
The case was prompted by the death of five-year-old Michael Komape who died after falling into a pit latrine at school in 2014 in Limpopo. His father, James Komape believes they have presented a compelling case against the state.
“Today’s case went well. I am confident that Judge Mueller will rule in our favour and infrastructure will be taken to schools. There is still a lot of schools in areas like Ga-Mashashane and in Moletji that still have pit toilets,” says James Komape.
VIDEO: Section 27, and Limpopo Education head court over the eradication of pit pit latrines
