Jabulani Mkhonza (communications manager – uThukela District Municipality)
The chairperson for the District Command Centre (DCC), Mayor Siphiwe Mazibuko, and the Health Department, led by Dr T Zulu, joined Okhahlamba Local Municipality for a mass screening and testing programme on the morning of April 23. The programme was conducted in the Emazizini and Zwelisha areas, with the presence of Speaker G Ndaba, Ward Councillor Dladla, SASSA, community healthcare workers, EDTEA, I Care, NGOs and volunteers.
READ: Intensifying the fight against Covid-19
Addressing the stakeholders at the briefing, District Mayor Mazibuko warned that things are going to get tougher.
“Mass screening and testing is the order of the day. Currently, things are no longer the same as when we first started. The challenge we face is that people want food parcels,” said the mayor.
He went on to say that there’s no need to make any commitments, but that needy people should be referred along the relevant channels for assistance. The mayor also mentioned that they are still waiting for marching orders from the hierarchy.
The programme was supported by representatives from the Office of the Health MEC. One of their duties was to check the facilities that have been identified to quarantine infected people. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), South Africa as a country is doing a great job in terms of dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. There were concerns about fake news doing the rounds about food parcels, among other things.
NOW READ: District hosts joint mass screening programme and water provision projects
Dr Zulu appreciated the presence of all stakeholders, including the ward councillor.
“It’s good to have a ward councillor in our activities so that they can do loud-hailing to inform people we are coming. We are grateful for that as foot soldiers. Our commitment and performance is vital in the lifting of the lockdown,” commented Dr Zulu.
Fieldworkers thereafter hit the road running, doing door-to-door screening. In one household, there was a cashier who works at a supermarket. She said her employer provided his staff with masks and sanitizers, and they are allowed to take sanitizers with them for home utilisation. Lockdown has been intensified in all towns, townships and villages, and people are advised stay at home.
On water-related issues, the mayor, speaker and service provider visited Ward 7 in the Nsukangihlale area, where a static tank with standpipe has been installed.
People in and around this area will now have access to water supply closer to where they live. Mr Mbatha, who lives nearby, thanked the mayor for the good work done. “We wish to thank you, Mr Mayor, for a wonderful job you have done for our community. But it is also my wish that the mayor must monitor if the tank is always filled with water. Other than that, we are grateful,” said a delighted Mr Mbatha.
A newly-refurbished hand pump in the Okhombe area was also visited. One community member said they used to have access to running water, but when the road construction began, the contractor damaged the water pipeline, leaving the community without water. This hand pump will be very helpful to the community because of that and she said she was very grateful.
NOW SEE: Lockdown wash-down in densely populated areas
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