Estcourt has been described as the ‘epicentre of Covid-19’ infections in the district and according to the weekly statistics since the inception of level 3 lockdown, Municipal Manager Patrick Mkhize says the town has “overtaken other areas in terms of daily infections.”
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“Some locals are not taking precautions. This is manifested by the number of people in town every day, most of them not wearing masks. Social distancing is not practiced in many places,” he substantiated.
While the District Command Centre (DCC) does not provide statistics for infections in each town, Mr Mkhize said that daily statistics show that Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality currently produces the highest number of positive cases.
He has dismissed the statistics released on social media last week, that show infections per ward.
“We don’t know where and how those statistics were obtained, as the DCC provides statistics in terms of local municipalities rather than wards,” he commented.
The Health Department has identified Forderville (Ward 10), Colita (Ward 10), Depo and 5 Room (Wards 9, 8 and 17), and Zwelisha (Ward 15) as hot-spots for Covid-19 infections.
“There’s a lack of understanding, which has generated a lot of fear. Others seem not to believe that this virus exists, especially those in rural areas and poor communities,” said Mr Mkhize.
In an effort to increase public awareness, the local municipality has been actively disseminating educational material to residents and visiting healthcare facilities to check their functionality.
“Education and awareness has been conducted together with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health in all wards. The response from the community has been positive and we are indeed encouraged by the positive response to mass testing and screening,” explained Mr Mkhize.
During visits to Zwelisha Clinic, Madiba Clinic and Estcourt Hospital with a delegation from the KZN Legislature, Mr Mkhize said that some concerns were raised.
“It can be confirmed that these facilities are ready. However, challenges were noted. Community members are overwhelmed, there is a shortage of beds, and there is also a shortage of ventilators,” said the municipal manager.
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Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality received a total of R1,4 million after a successful funding application was submitted to the Department of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (Cogta) in KZN.
According to Mr Mkhize, these funds have been used to ensure that public facilities meet the requirements to be declared safe for residents.
“During the initial stages of the lockdown, a report was produced by Uthukela Health Practitioners for the municipality, where the following concerns were raised in terms of the state of readiness / preparedness to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic:
1. Our public transport facilities (taxi ranks) were not compliant in terms of availability of hand-washing basins, water connections, functional toilet facilities and perimeter fencing for the main taxi rank in Estcourt to ensure control and monitoring.
2. Enforcement of government regulations must be ensured by our traffic unit, in partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS), and public participation must be ensured.
“It can be confirmed that the majority of the concerns of the Uthukela Health Practitioners have been attended to and resolved,” substantiated Mr Mkhize.
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During level 5 and 4 of the national lockdown, a number of businesses suffered severe financial losses and the municipal manager says that plans are in place to alleviate some of the municipal debt to provide relief.
“Engagements have been made with local businesses and an agreement was reached that where challenges exist, one-on-one payment arrangements and assistance would be put in place,” he explained.
As the country faces level 3 lockdown, with further restrictions, Mr Mkhize says that locals must bear in mind that Covid-19 infections are set to rise.
“This virus is real and we are at the peak of the storm, as our president has announced. Everyone needs to stay at home unless there’s a real need for him to be in town or other places where there are a lot of people. Every life is precious!” advises Mr Mkhize.
Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality Mayor Jabulile Mbele echoes the municipal manager’s sentiments.
“I want to remind the community that we are still at level 3 of the lockdown and we need to comply with the regulations,” said Mrs Mbele.
She also took the opportunity to strongly condemn gender-based violence.
“As a community, we must fight the scourge of gender-based violence. We are totally against it,” she concluded.
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