A civil society initiative, #OperationCovid19, has started its campaign to distribute 1 million bars of soap to deserving communities over the next two weeks. The initiative kicked off in Diepsloot.
Premier @David_Makhura and MEC @bandilemasuku joined #OperationCovid19 volunteers in Diepsloot this morning. The teams distributed soap and information leaflets to the community to encourage residents to increase hygiene control to curb the spread of #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/smrXZCWkvM
— GautengGov (@GautengProvince) March 21, 2020
The SABC visited the community of Diepsloot and found that there is a lot of issues pertaining to access to water, posing a challenge to efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa. The World Health Organisations has, among other things, advised people to sanitize and wash their hands with soap regularly.
It is for this reason that civil societies such as Operation South Africa have undertook the campaign to hand out bars of soap to Diepsloot.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura, who has joined the initiative, says that government needs to mobilise all sectors of society to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“We need to mobilise businesses; like in this case, business people have been able to make these bar soaps available. We need to mobilise community action groups like the community action group that has brought us here from Laudium that has mobilised volunteers; that is why volunteers are wearing masks because those who volunteer to work must be protected like the health workers must be protected. We will only succeed if we really join hands together.”
However, the move has received a lot of criticism on social media. The EFF’s Head of political education, Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, accused the initiative of posing a risk to communities that have so far not registered any case of COVID-19.
Did you see anyone distribute soap in China? We must ALL be under quarantine! STAY AT HOME! You are the ones who are going to spread the virus! JUST STAY AT HOME PLEASE. As things stand there is no virus to wash in the townships! You are the ones who are going to bring it! STOP! https://t.co/GkrcqZHhIQ
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) March 21, 2020
GP Premier @David_Makhura in Diepsloot right now distributing soaps. This is high risk & dangerous for spread of #Covid_19. Can the @SAPoliceService @CyrilRamaphosa intervene & stop this with immediate effect! ONLY way to fight the virus is everyone STAY AT HOME! #ArrestMakhura pic.twitter.com/I9MYsuC8uQ
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) March 21, 2020
You are menace to society! You have defied #Covid19InSA restrictions, set a bad example & put the people of Diepsloot in danger of contamination. You must be ashamed of yourself & ignorant Premier @David_Makhura! You both should be put in jail! https://t.co/qBXMEEAZ34
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) March 21, 2020
In the video below, Gauteng Premier David Makhura says that government needs to mobilise all sectors of society to curb the spread of COVID-19.
