Lockdown: With a little help from Polokwane councillors…
With the second week of the lockdown underway, BONUS wanted to find out from ward councillors how they are assisting their communities.
POLOKWANE – The lockdown was instituted as part of the National Disaster Act which has restricted movement of civilians, except for essential services or workers.
This ban has seen most municipal and traffic services in the city unavailable as it was not deemed essential.
Frank Haas, DA Caucus Leader
Haas told BONUS that he has five WhatsApp groups that he uses to communicate residents in his ward.
“Since we are not allowed out, this has been our main form of communication during the lockdown. These Whatsapp groups inform residents on which guidelines are in place or any changes that are being made.”
Haas told BONUS that he has also been helping out with alternative ways of making payments to the municipality as they did not have the chance to do so before the lockdown.
Freddie Ramaphakela, EFF councillor
Ramaphakela says he has also been utilising WhatsApp groups, especially ones where all the councillors partake.
“In this group, if one has an issue in their ward, you are able to ask for assistance. This has been how I have been helping out because sometimes we are faced with situations that we can’t handle on our own.”
He says that in this group, he is given necessary advice on how to deal with situations as they arise and is able to share the information with the community through a different WhatsApp group.
“During this pandemic, any challenges I observe with reference to the Disaster Management Act, I am able to get the correct information to pass on.”
Chief Whip of the ANC in Limpopo, Mamedupi Tefo
Tefo says ANC councillors have been ensuring that they share vital information about the symptoms of Covid-19 and its prevention.
“Since movement has been restricted, this information is shared with the community on social media, which has become essential during this time.”
Tefo says with Polokwane being a rural municipality, it is important that councillors ensure that residents still receive quality services.
This includes informing residents about what the guidelines are and why they were put into place.
“This helps our communities adhere to these guidelines if they understand what role they play in curbing the virus. Our councillors have been mandated to ensure they have their phones on 24 hours to liase with municipalities on behalf of the residents.”
