Premier Zille to Brief Health & Education Leaders on Water Crisis | Western Cape Government

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Premier Zille to Brief Health & Education Leaders on Water Crisis

30 January 2018

This week, Premier Helen Zille will brief the leaders of essential services on the Province’s emergency plans should we reach day zero.

Premier Zille will begin by briefing the CEOs of the province’s health facilities today, over a video conference call. Most of the relevant health facilities have been secured in the event of Day Zero.

The Province’s Groundwater programme has targeted Health Facilities as the highest priority. Drilling of boreholes has taken place at these facilities. Further testing and reticulation systems are being dealt with.

While this meeting will be a closed session, a full briefing will be issued to the media in the form of a statement.

The engagement is scheduled to begin at 14:00 in the Western Cape Government office on Dorp Street.

On Wednesday, 31 January, the Premier is scheduled to brief all principals of all schools in the greater Cape Town, Drakenstein, Stellenbosch and West Coast municipalities (that draw water from the Western Cape Water Supply system).

There are about 1000 schools within this area. The provincial government has conducted an assessment of the approximately 400 schools with existing boreholes. The majority of these boreholes require minimal work to operationalize for hygiene and fire safety purposes.

Plans are currently being finalised for schools that require additional support to secure their water supply. A range of measures are under consideration, including additional water storage and the distribution of water to schools.

The Provincial Government intends to ensure that schools remain open and operational should Day Zero be reached in the metro.

Members of the media are welcome to attend and sit-in on the briefing with the school leadership.

Details:

Date:
Wednesday, 31 January 2017
Venue: Western Cape Sports School - Nooiensfontein road, Kuils River, Cape Town
Time: 14:00

On Friday, 2 February 2018, Premier Zille will also attend the Extended Cabinet Legkotla where members of the national cabinet and Premiers meet with the President. Premier Helen Zille has written to President Jacob Zuma requesting that a National Disaster be declared due to the ongoing drought.

The National Disaster Management Act creates provision for a national disaster when more than one province is affected, or when additional resources are required to mitigate the national ramifications of a disaster.

There are areas experiencing severely low dam levels including parts of the Eastern Cape, particularly in the water supply network of Nelson Mandela Bay. Premier Zille will seek an update on whether her request will be acceded to, at the meeting on Friday.

Media Enquiries: 

Michael Mpofu

Spokesperson for Premier Helen Zille

071 564 5427

021 483 4584

Michael.Mpofu@westerncape.gov.za