KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, under the leadership of MEC Sipho Hlomuka, 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 against the spread of Covid-19.
Hlomuka made the announcement this morning 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 thirteen 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.
This rollout, 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. The rollout of water tankers is particularly important during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“These water tankers that 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, finance and others, 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:
WSAs ALLOCATED WATER TANKERS
Ilembe 1
Ugu 3
Harry Gwala 2
Umzinyathi 1
Uthukela 2
Umgungundlovu 1
Msunduzi 1
Newcastle 2
Amajuba 2
Zululand 2
Umkhanyakude 2
King Cetshwayo 2
Mhlathuze LM 1
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