S African govt allocates another R96.6m to drought relief efforts

19th November 2015 By: African News Agency

S African govt allocates another R96.6m to drought relief efforts

Photo by: Reuters

Government would set aside another R96.6-million to help with drought relief efforts across the country, minister in the presidency Jeff Radebe said on Thursday.

“This [relief efforts] includes the purchase of 45 water tankers for distribution of water to affected areas, borehole drilling and rehabilitation, water conservation and demand management,and water source augmentations,” Radebe said while briefing journalists after Wednesday’s fortnightly cabinet meeting held in Cape Town this week.

Other efforts would include the department of rural development and land reform allowing the relocation of livestock to state-owned land “where there is still better pasture”.

Radebe encouraged South Africans to get behind water saving measures being implemented.

“These include introducing water restrictions, monitoring adherence to water restrictions, applying penalties where necessary, prioritising the repair of water leaks, promoting water-efficient technologies such as low-flush toilets cisterns, rainwater harvesting, and the use of grey water for irrigation.”