Joburg Water (JW) and ward 124 councillor Mongameli Mnyameni are on a mission to get water to four informal settlements in the ward during these coronavirus times.
On March 25, JW onsite coordinator Aifheli Netshivhumbe and the councillor visited View, Booysens, emaXhoseni and Wembley informal settlements to have an overview of the areas. They wanted to see where they can put JoJo tanks so that people can have more water. The tanks will be replenished regularly by JW.
Netshivhumbe said they visited all these informal settlements because of the coronavirus issue. They want to make sure that people have water to wash their hands as the government encourages people to do so.
“As JW we need to provide people with water, so that they can have water every day and every time, also sanitation like the chemical toilet where there are no toilets. JW will be able to provide four JoJo tanks to these informal settlements,” he explained.
Mongameli said when the coronavirus came in, he understood that there are vulnerable people in his ward who will be victims of this pandemic.
“I then thought let me speak to the officials of the City, in particular, the MMC for Environment, Infrastructure and Services councillor Mpho Moerane and JW so that they can do something and make a plan to make sure that people are getting the services to prevent the spread of the virus.
“Minister Zweli Mkhize told us people must wash hands regularly; however, it becomes impossible if you go to these informal settlements we visited as there is a lack of water. That’s why I called JW so that they can intervene and bring JoJo tanks,” he said.
Other problems that these informal settlements face are filth and lack of toilets. Mongameli said he is trying by all means to engage relevant authorities to help in order to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Residents in these informal settlements pleaded with the councillor to help them with food parcels, sanitisers, gloves and masks.
