Photo by: Reuters
President Jacob Zuma has committed all spheres of government to provide extra support to drought-hit areas, the presidency said on Sunday.
Zuma was responding to a series of concerns raised by members of the community in the uThungulu district municipality and surrounding areas during an imbizo in Melmoth, KwaZulu-Natal, on Sunday, the presidency said in a statement.
“He visited the community of the district following its appeal to government to intervene as the community was experiencing difficulties with regard to delivery of water services as result of the drought which has affected the area and other communities across the country.
“In response to these challenges, President Zuma has tasked all spheres of government to intervene and ensure that all communities have water.”
Zuma said it was a constitutional obligation for government to take care of its citizens to ensure a better life for all, and assured the community that government would prioritise addressing the drought problems not only in the district but also in other affected areas across the country, the presidency said.
The district municipality, which was one of the most stricken areas in KwaZulu-Natal, had bulk water infrastructure mainly centred in its small towns – Eshowe, Melmoth, Mtunzini, Nkandla, and Mbonambi.
It also had over 200 small water supply schemes served by production boreholes and springs covering most of its rural areas. Some of these water sources had dried up as a result of drought, it said.