KZN CoGTA MEC deploys additional water tankers to municipalities
"These tankers have been delivered and have now commenced with the important work of serving our communities," said Hlomuka.
The KZN Department of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has deployed additional water tankers to the province’s Water Service Authorities in an effort to bring water closer to communities as the province and country continue to fight the spread of Covid-19.
MEC Sipho Hlomuka made the announcement last week while attending the ‘virtual’ CoGTA portfolio committee meeting, where the department updated the KZN Provincial Legislature on its expenditure and performance during the 2019/2020 financial year.
“This week, we have been working hard as a department to deliver 22 water tankers to our 13 Water Service Authorities, where they will be utilised to bring much-needed water to rural communities across the province.
“These tankers have been delivered and have now commenced with the important work of serving our communities,” said Hlomuka.
Also read: Water programme is in the pipeline for Zululand
This roll-out, according to Hlomuka, is part of the department’s commitment to make good on its pledge to capacitate municipalities to fulfil their service delivery mandate, being particularly important during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“These water tankers, which we have deployed for an initial period of three months, will not cost the municipalities anything and will ensure that more of our communities get access to water as we fight against the spread of Covid-19. As a department, we have made several key interventions, which include the deployment of R160 million worth of plant equipment to municipalities to speed up service delivery under our Operation Khawuleza initiative.
“We have also deployed close to 500 graduates who hold qualifications in scarce skills such as engineering, town planning and finance to capacitate our municipalities and create employment for the youth, particularly in rural areas.
“Recently, we also deployed 3000 static tanks to all our municipalities to bring water closer to the most vulnerable communities.
“The additional 22 water tankers are a clear indication of our commitment to solving the water challenges in our communities,” said Hlomuka.
The water tankers have been deployed as follows: Zululand received two, Ilembe one, Ugu three, Harry Gwala two, Umzinyathi one, uThukela two, Umgungundlovu one, Msunduzi one, Newcastle two, Amajuba two, Umkhanyakude two, King Cetshwayo two and Mhlathuze one.
In April, Hlomuka dispatched 3000 JoJo tanks across the province. Of that number, 538 static tanks were allocated to municipalities within the Zululand District municipalities. Zululand received 270, Dumbe 80, Uphongolo 30, AbaQulusi 128 and Nongoma 30.
Make sure you follow us on our social media platforms for regular updates
