Water and Sanitation Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu says there are problems in distributing water tanks to various communities across the country, with some tanks being stolen.
16 000 tanks have so far been distributed throughout the country.
As the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic, water is critical in stemming the spread of the virus.
People need water for hand washing and general sanitation.
Sisulu formed part of a media briefing in Pretoria on the socio-economic relief interventions. She says communities that still do not have water must alert her department on 0800 200 200.
Sisulu says, “We have up to now provided in the region of 16 000 tankers throughout the country, we make sure we fill them up on a regular basis. We’ve had a bit of a problem in the installation of some of the tanks because people steal those tanks. Those people who have no access to water please call us so that we can locate where you are, we can locate your municipality and make sure that you do have water. It’s a toll-free number.”
Below is the briefing on COVID-19 socio-economic relief interventions:
Mashishing residents
Residents of Mashishing and surrounding areas in Mpumalanga continue to be faced with the shortage of water.
The Department of Water and Sanitation has provided the Thaba Chweu Municipality with 50 Jojo tanks to enable the municipality to provide water, but the residents are yet to receive the tanks as they remain in the possession of the municipality.
Speaking on behalf of the community is George Viljoen says, “We do have communities in and around Lydenburg that are struggling with water.”
In the video below, Port Alfred’s water crisis deepens:
