DURBAN - Mayors across KwaZulu-Natal have committed to mobilising resources to respond to the immediate needs faced by communities, following last week’s violent looting spree.
Some small businesses and small towns, and the economy have been devastated by the violence that took place last week.
Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Sipho Hlomuka and Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza convened a special meeting with KZN mayors and speakers on Saturday.
The meeting was held to consolidate the response by the local government sphere to the crisis.
Mayors provided updates on the extent of the damage suffered by their municipalities, with many small towns reported as having been severely damaged.
KZN Cogta spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said Hlomuka and Didiza received updates on the mop-up operations and municipal response plans during the meeting.
“Millions of rand worth of municipal infrastructure suffered severe damage during the unrest. Municipalities also halted services, such as water tankers, municipal buses and front-line services, in order to limit the risk. Since Thursday, July 15, municipalities have gradually returned services, as the unrest cooled down,” he said.
In her address to the mayors, Didiza called for municipalities to avail their community halls and multi-purpose centres, to any arm of the state, business and civil society.
She said this must be done in efforts to ensure food security and to provide aid to millions of residents, who no longer have access to a place to buy food because of the unrest.
Hlomuka also directed municipalities to ensure social cohesion in response to the outcries of racism, following incidents of racial profiling that were reported in a number of communities.
"It is important that, as leaders, we condemn racial profiling and any race-related incidents, considering our country’s history. As municipalities, it is important that we solidify racial harmony within our communities, through constructive engagement on this important issue," added Hlomuka.
THE MERCURY