11 Feb 2021

Acting town clerk for Jwaneng Town Council (JTC), Mr Motshwari Maphalala, has urged staff not to panic or fear after one employee succumbed to COVID-19 this week.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Maphalala said the situation was under control, stating that the staff member tested positive over the weekend and was taken to Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital where he died on Monday.

He said the deceased was based at the supplies department premises, which were closed for fumigation and completion of contact tracing.

Another employee, who used one vehicle with the deceased tested positive and had been isolated.

Mr Maphalala said contact tracing and testing were still ongoing on the advice of the District Health Management Team and the department of public health.

He said all those who were in contact with the said officers had already been identified.

On why the civic centre, where most of the council staff was based, was still operational, he said the affected employees were not based there and that there was never any close contact between the two officers with anyone at the civic entre.

“Should the situation change at the civic centre, we will take appropriate steps,” he added.

Mr Maphalala was speaking after some employees at the civic centre expressed fear that they might be at risk after their colleague passed away, while another tested positive within a short time.

They indicated that staff members at the supplies department premises worked closely with the rest of the council staff across all premises, therefore they could have come into contact with each other.

Some said it was advisable therefore for the civic centre to be closed and fumigated.

Meanwhile, Mr Maphalala urged members of the community, who wanted to seek services at the council to use the toll free number 0800 600 765, rather than physically visiting the offices, due to minimal personnel availability.

He indicated that the use of the toll free number would also reduce the risk of spreading the disease.

Mr Maphalala said the counil had introduced shifts with some staff members working from home, as advised by the Directorate of Public Service Management, in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.ENDS