15 Jul 2020

 North East District councilors have been implored to sensitise their communities on the COVID-19 pandemic and protocols.

Addressing the ongoing full council session in Masunga,Chairperson of North East District Council (NEDC) Ms Florah Mpetsane said it was imperative that councilors stressed the importance of adhering to COVID-19 protocols.

She stated that it was every person’s responsibility to assist government in protecting citizens by adhering to the protocols through wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and washing hands regularly. Ms Mpetsane noted that most businesses across the district complied to COVID-19 preventative measures of face mask use, provision of sanitisers and registration.

The chairperson indicated that law enforcement officers continued to conduct border patrols in order to border jumping.

Councilor Mpetsane further stated that NEDC had undertaken various works at primary schools as a measure to respond to the new health regulations.

She said a total of 514 hand basins had been installed in all 43 primary schools at strategic points so that learners could wash hands regularly.

Ms Mpetsane indicated that extra water  tanks were installed in schools in the Tati East where there was acute water shortage. He said the ongoing North East District/ Tutume sub-district water scheme project would solve the water crisis in the district once completed.

The chairperson said the council had embarked on a conversion of pit latrines to water system toilets project at Themashanga, Gungwe and Mabudzane primary schools at a total cost of P425 922.

She said in all the maintenance and construction projects, local economic empowerment was applied as artisans and contractors from within localities were engaged.

Furthermore she stated that plumbing and maintenance of ablution blocks at the 11 secondary schools had been completed, adding that P1 386 000 had been secured for procurement of school furniture.

She indicated that due to shortage of classrooms a double shift model was adopted at schools to curb over-crowding of learners.

 Ms Mpetsane highlighted that the district had engaged 292 Ipelegeng cleaners at primary and secondary schools for cleaning of classrooms and toilets to augment the available staff.

The chairperson revealed that of the 135 targeted scorpions, 86 had been engaged at B3 scale and had assumed duty.

She said a total of 11 423 households benefited from the COVID-19 food baskets distribution across the district during the lockdown. ENDS