Covid-19: Sisulu orders DWS to roll-out interventions in 2 000 communities to secure water, sanitation
“The installation of the water tanks did not take off as had been envisaged and preferred due to the lockdown taking its toll on some of the service providers who became cash strapped,”
The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu directed the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to roll-out interventions in about 2 000 communities which were identified as being in water and sanitation distress.
A National Water and Sanitation Command Centre at the head office of Rand Water in Johannesburg was set up when South Africa recorded its first cases of Covid-19.
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“Through the work of the command centre, co-chaired by the acting director-general of DWS Mbulelo Tshangana and the chief executive of Rand Water Sipho Mosai, the roll-out commenced and was shared across the sector, including with municipalities and water boards, who would, in turn, be the implementing agents within their areas of operation,” said Sputnik Ratau, spokesperson for the DWS.
“The latest report on the intervention on May 19 shows that 17 962 tanks have been delivered across the country, with 11 978 of these installed, and a total of 1 299 tankers (trucks) have been delivered to ensure the tanks remain in use.”
“With regards to Alfred Nzo District Municipality, the DWS and the stakeholders are continuing to deliver, notwithstanding the inherent challenges,” said Ratau.
The Eastern Cape had 4 494 tanks installed and in use and 201 tankers delivered, of which 169 are in use.
Alfred Nzo District Municipality has received 482 tanks which are also in use and 13 tankers were delivered.
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A further seven tankers are awaited, as soon as the procurement processes are completed.
“The localities of Bizana and Ntabankulu are not being ignored, as much as the intervention might be slow.
“The installation of the water tanks did not take off as had been envisaged and preferred due to the lockdown taking its toll on some of the service providers who became cash strapped,” Sisulu said.
“Tanks that were allocated were too few to advance services to the vast area they were required to assist. Once the procurement glitches are overcome services will be rendered in a better manner.”
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