The provision of water tanks and tankers (trucks) is moving swiftly as per the directive issued by the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu.

In her directive, Minister Sisulu instructed all Provinces and water entities to ensure that all communities, especially rural areas and informal settlements be provided with reliable water as a matter of urgency.

Rand Water was appointed to coordinate all the water entities and a National Command Centre was established at Rand Water to ensure that Minister’s directive is implemented effectively.

To date, a total of 10 994 water tanks and 1001 water tankers have been delivered to various communities across the country.

During his visit to the National Command Centre yesterday, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his satisfaction with the manner in which the Department has swiftly moved in rolling out water tanks and tankers across the country.

Minister Sisulu has appealed to community members to protect water infrastructure provided to them.

Concern over Vandalism of Water Tankers

This comes after reports that members of the community are vandalizing water tanks by stealing the plastic taps attached to the tanks.

“We are appealing to members of the public to refrain from vandalizing water tanks in their respective communities, these tanks are provided for your own benefit. Vandalizing these tanks poses a serious challenge for Government to provide essential water to communities in the fight against COVID-19,” says Department of Water and Sanitations’ acting Provincial Head in the Northern Cape, Kobus Streuders.

Governments’ protocol to address the COVID-19 pandemic includes washing of hands with soap to curb the spread of the corona virus and the provision of water is a key factor in curbing the spread of the pandemic.