DURBAN – KWAZULU-NATAL MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Sipho Hlomuka, handed over to the community of Ndwedwe this morning a state-of-the-art fire fighting vehicle and a water tanker. Hlomuka, speaking during the handover, said the handover was a big boost to the community and would dramatically improve residents’ water access and enhance disaster management capability.
Hlomuka emphasized the dedication of his department to helping municipalities meet their statutory obligation to provide communities with services. Last year, when five individuals died in a house fire in Mthebeni, Ward 11, this rural municipality suffered a tragedy. “Today’s handover is a significant milestone in our efforts to improve the safety of our communities and speed up the response time by our fire and rescue teams whenever they’re called upon,” he said.
The truck is completely funded by Cogta and will serve areas within the local municipality of Ndwedwe, which is one of the water supply areas that is still falling behind. District Mayor S Gumede and Ndwedwe Mayor N Chili were present at the handover and welcomed this investment by the district’s capacity building department, which comprises some of the province’s most rural municipalities.
