Leading the fight with water provision
"This is a drive to bring water to the people, as a way of adhering to our mandate".
Lolo Madonsela
Amid the chaos, good has come for AbaQulusi residents who have struggled with access to water. Last week, AbaQulusi Local Municipality installed a total of 183 five-kilolitre and two-kilolitre water tanks in stricken areas, with an additional 80 5kl tanks erected by Zululand District Municipality.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) also came to the table with a 16kl water tanker.
According to Acting Mayor Mncedisi Maphisa, the tanks and tanker will assist residents to regularly wash their hands during the lockdown.
“This is a drive to bring water to the people, as a way of adhering to our mandate. This will also assist in the fight against this coronavirus, as people need water to clean their hands constantly,” explained Cllr Maphisa.
“We request them not to steal these JoJo tanks, because they are meant to better their lives and therefore they must protect their assets.”
He added that the municipality sanitizes the Plaza Taxi Rank early every morning, using fire engines and specialised chemicals to ensure that the fight against Covid-19 is continued.
“We also appeal to our people to continue following the lockdown regulations of staying at home, but also not neglect to pay for their municipal services. They can pay at either of the two banks – Nedbank or Absa – or at our offices, which open twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8am until 4.30pm. If they have complaints, we have a team on standby or they can contact me on 076-045-8005 or Mr Mbongwa on 072-916-0662.”
Also read:Â Community up in arms over water crisis
After the installation of the tanks, residents expressed delight at finally having access to water.
“We are very happy; beyond happy. For many years, we have been struggling with water and the water tanker did not come every day, but once a week and sometimes not at all. The municipality did put up a JoJo tank previously, but it was stolen, so it is up to us to ensure that the four we have now do not get stolen or destroyed. It is for our own good. This really brings hope to us,” said Sibongile Ngubane.
In addition, KZN CoGTA MEC Sipho Hlomuka handed over tanks in eDumbe Local Municipality last week to assist with the alleviation of water challenges there.
CoGTA dispatched 3000 tanks across the province to both curb the spread of Covid-19 and address water shortages in communities.
Out of this number, 538 static tanks were allocated to municipalities within the Zululand District Municipality District, with Zululand receiving 270, eDumbe 128, Uphongolo and Nongoma 30 each, and AbaQulusi 80.
Hlomuka emphasised that this latest intervention was prioritising communities faced with water shortages, and urged eDumbe Municipality to ensure that the water supplied was used wisely.
“Water is a precious resource and we are facing water challenges as a province. It is therefore important for the municipality and all those responsible for managing water to lead communities in conserving water, so that everyone receives uninterrupted water supply.”
Hlomuka commended municipalities in the province for embarking on a massive drive to disinfect public spaces, including taxi ranks, following a circular he dispatched to municipalities in this regard last month.
Representatives from various non-government organisations have also donated hygiene kits to residents, including towels, soaps, sanitizers and more.
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