Trucks and tanks dispensed to fight Covid-19 in the Free State
In an effort to fight the spread of the Coronavirus and ensure that the COVID-19 Curve is flattened, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has dispatched trucks (tankers) and tanks all over the Free State.
On 22 March 2020 President Ramaphosa declared a shutdown of the country to curb the spread of the Coronavirus. DWS immediately started working on a plan to dispense water tanks and trucks to informal settlements and rural areas to strengthen the President’s call to the washing of hands.
31 water trucks have been dispersed to Vrede, Fauresburg, Harrismith, Senekal, Clocolan, Petrusteyn, Cornelia, Villiers, Kroonstad, Viljoenskroon, Welkom, Bloemfontein, Thabanchu and Sasolburg.
612 water tanks have also been dispersed within the same areas. DWS has established an operations centre where daily meetings take place with municipalities and water boards utilizing internet-based conferencing facilities.
Progress reports on water services are then reported on a national platform that includes Ministers and MEC’s.
Even as this effort rolls out, the Department sadly learned of the assault of water tank drivers in Welkom as they were dispensing water to communities.
The department condemns these actions in the strongest sense. These are acts of criminality and are not helpful to needy communities.
Prohibiting the supply of water to communities that are in desperate need of this resource constitutes a crime.
During this time where the country has been gripped by this terrible virus, the Department implores all citizens to:
- Constantly wash hands with soap and water
- Use sanitizer where water and soap are not available
- Avoid touching surfaces that are commonly used such as elevator buttons and hand rails
- Continue to use water sparingly as this is still a scarce resource
For more information contact:
Dr Tseliso Ntili
Provincial Head Free State Operations
Cell: 082 552 5590
Sputnik Ratau
Spokesperson for the DWS
Cell: 082 874 2942
Larry Crisp
Communications Manager
Cell: 082 554 7271
