Ekurhuleni’s mismanagement of Covid-19 disaster relief tents an example of an uncaring administration
by Cllr. Khathutshelo Rasilingwane — DA Shadow MMC for Health & Social Development in Ekurhuleni
Date: 09 February 2021
Release: Immediate
Type: Media statement
In order to assist the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) in the fight against Covid-19, the Gauteng Provincial Government procured and deployed 70 disaster relief tents to accommodate excess patients in many of the Metro’s health facilities which were running at full capacity.
The Provincial Government spent over R2-million in procuring and distributing these tents, validating the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni’s shock when many of these tents were found unused and lying idly on the ground of some health faciltiies. Clearly a wasted resource given the recent wave of Covid-19 infections.
Many of the managers in the City’s clinics claimed to not know how to use the tents, while many of the clinics themselves lacked sufficient space to erect the tents. Some of the tents that were erected were falling down or had collapsed.
While the DA recognises that the procurement and distribution of the tents was overseen by Provincial Government, the lack of planning and coordination from the CoE’s Health Department is inexcusable and the MMC for Social Development, Cllr. Nomandlozi Nkosi, must be held to account.
The Covid-19 pandemic has placed enormous strain on our health facilities, and any relief effort should be embraced and implemented effectively. These disaster relief tents have the potential to save lives and should be treated with the utmost importance in the fight against Covid-19. This is a clear indication of lack of leadership and political will in driving Covid-19 programs throughout the ANC Coalition-led City of Ekurhuleni.
Cllr. Khathutshelo Rasilingwane
DA Shadow MMC for Health & Social Development in Ekurhuleni
