According to the latest Non-Financial Census of Municipalities, the province - together with the Northern Cape, North West and the Eastern Cape - has recorded an increase of pit latrine users.

The survey indicates that 37 out of 257 municipalities provided bucket toilets to resident in 2019, with most of them being those in the Free State.

The Free State’s Setsoto, Nala, Nketoana, Ngwathe and Metsimaholo Municipalities are ranked among the top ten municipalities countrywide with inadequate sanitation.

 Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has confirmed that whilst provision of bucket toilets dropped by 47.6% from 2015 to 2019, most municipalities continue to struggle with the eradication of bucket toilets and provision of other basic services.

Meanwhile, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has welcomed the report, stating that it is pleased local government is making progress in delivering services to the communities they serve.

The association in a statement has, however, raised concerns over municipalities that have been struggling to eradicate the bucket toilet system, particularly those in the Free State and North West - as they recorded an increase in 2019 as compared to 2018.

More than 7 000 residents in the Free State’s Setsoto Municipality alone were provided with buckets toilets in 2019.

“SALGA has also taken note that the number of consumer units receiving services for free have declined. This is due to municipalities having changed their systems for the identification and management of indigent households”.

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