Coronavirus education drive at border post

IN an effort to educate rural communities about the dangers posed by the coronavirus, the uMkhanyakude district will embark on an awareness campaign this week.

Their main targets are homesteads situated near the Golela border gate.

uMkhanyakude District Municipality spokesperson, Mdu Dlamini, said even though all operations at the border gate have been suspended, it is likely people still enter illegally.

‘Our main focus will be on homes near the border, to ensure that they know what to do to prevent the spread of the virus.

‘We have instructed drivers of our water tankers to work extra hours to ensure that communities receive enough water,’ said Dlamini.

uMkhanyakude is one of the district municipalities which has been struggling to provide communities with water owing to ageing and damaged water infrastructure. Dlamini said that the uBombo water scheme was up and running, however.

‘We have drilled for water and most of the boreholes out of commission have been repaired. That would help in reducing the water demand from water tankers.

‘We urge communities not to panic and buy water from the water tankers. Water is not for sale, it is against the law. Those found selling the communities’ water will be harshly dealt with,’ Dlamini said.

He added there would be no water supply interruptions at institutions such as hospitals, courts and police stations.

‘We will also take our campaign to various towns in the district,’

Dlamini conceded that the virus outbreak will have a negative impact on the district’s economy, especially this time of year.

‘Our district is known as an international tourist destination across the globe, so the travel ban will no doubt have serious consequences on this sector especially.’