Govt offices expected to remain open

GOVERNMENT offices are expected to remain open during the water shutdown that will take place in Kimberley from October 6-10.

The spokesperson for the Office of the Premier, Monwabisi Nkompela, said government departments were not permitted to close their doors during the water cut.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has taught us to allow for government employees to work remotely or with a skeleton staff. Some departments might even rotate staff in instances where physical services have to be delivered,” said Nkompela.

“We hope that institutions have made the necessary arrangements, seeing that the notice of the water interruption has been communicated long ago.

“We apologise for the inconvenience that this situation is causing.”

National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said that the court roll would continue as scheduled.

“A decision may be taken to postpone cases, if necessary. The Department of Justice employed at the provincial and district offices will continue to do their work.”

A spokesperson for the Northern Cape Department of Education said that employees at the provincial and district offices would continue to do their work.

“Discretion will be used where needed, depending on the situation at work, based on the hygiene and safety of employees. The same will apply when schools are scheduled to reopen after the holidays on October 11.”

Mediclinic patient experience manager Denise Coetzee said that all surgeries and laundry services would continue as normal.

“We have access to a borehole as well as water tanks to see us through for the duration of the water shutdown. We will provide bottled water for drinking and catering purposes.”