Statement on the Human Settlements COVID-19 PC Meeting
07 May 2020
Embargo: For Immediate Release
Attention: News/Assignment Editors, Political Reporters, Reporters
From: KZN Legislature Communications Unit
RE: KZN PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS COMMENDS DEPARTMENT FOR ITS COVID-19 INTERVENTION
KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements this morning held its scheduled meeting with the department and the MEC for Human Settlements to receive and consider the department’s COVID-19 report.
The department was led by MEC Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni and the Head of Department Mr Mduduzi Zungu. Other stakeholders such as the South African National Civics Organisation and the “shack-dwellers” movement – Abahlali base Mjondolo were also in attendance.
Nkonyeni and Zungu reported on the department’s COVID-19 interventions which included the following:
· Mass sanitization/disinfection of informal settlements, transit camps and hostels
· Public Hygiene interventions including supplying sanitizers to households and bar soaps etc
· Public health awareness campaigns
· Installation of static water tanks to communities such informal settlements
· Extended informal settlement upgrading programme and anti-land invasion campaigns
The department’s report was well received by members of the portfolio committee with most of them commending the department for its swift interventions.
Portfolio Committee Chairperson Honourable Linda Hlongwa-Madlala thanked the department and the MEC for prioritising the marginalised sectors of our society such as informal settlements and hostels.
Hlongwa-Madlala also emphasised that the department needed to develop a post COVID-19 plan.
“The department also needs to plan beyond COVID-19 and present us with its plan on the reprioritised budget, at the face of the COVID-19.,” said Hlongwa-Madlala.
Nkonyeni also added that the department has also received a request to include Old Age Homes in its sanitization programme.
Ends
Issued by Human Settlements Portfolio Committee Chairperson Hon Linda Hlongwa-Madlala. Contact her on 0782923687
Or
Wonder Hlongwa 0829083532
