“Our Call Centre will be operational to deal with service delivery complaints”
AS THE country prepares for the 21-day lockdown, the Sol Plaatje Municipality in Kimberley has reassured residents that its essential services will continue to operate during the lockdown that comes into effect at midnight on Thursday.
President Cyril Ramaphposa enforced a nationwide three-week lockdown on Monday to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Municipal spokesperson Sello Matsie said yesterday that essential services would be provided throughout the lockdown period, which will last until midnight on Thursday, April 16.
“Refuse collection will be available throughout the lockdown period as well as all our essential services such as the provision of water, electricity and sanitation. Our emergency services, including the traffic section, will also continue as normal – as spelled out by the president.”
The municipality’s Disaster Management Team, which is working jointly with other stakeholders, has been activated.
“Our Call Centre will be operational to deal with service delivery complaints. The Senior Management Task Team, led by the acting municipal manager, will continue to monitor and deal with critical infrastructure challenges.”
Matsie said service points will also be operational but encouraged people to make electronic payments.
“Our service pay points at the Civic Centre and Morgan Road will be open, although we would like to encourage the public to purchase their pre-paid electricity at our third-party vendors like supermarkets and filling stations or by using their mobile apps. This can be done through our online banking services, by utilising our Standard Bank Municipal Account Number 040065367 and using your account number as the Reference Number. We appeal to the public to heed the call to stay at home. We sincerely regret the inconvenience.”
Matsie added, however, that some services provided by the municipality would be affected during this time.
“Several of our municipal services will be affected negatively. These include motor registration, libraries, swimming pools, access to resorts and parks, submission of building plans and all other non-essential services. All our applications for learner driving tests and driving tests will be postponed until after the lockdown period.”
