KZN Municipalities Forced To Close After Staff, Councillors Tested Positive For COVID-19

SANDILE MOTHA

RURAL municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal are now carrying the brunt of the novel Corona virus with an increasing number of them forced to close their doors as more staff and councillors tested positive for COVID-19.

Mthonjaneni municipality in Melmoth under King Cetshwayo District is the latest to announce closer after 19 municipal employees were infected with the virus.

The number of affected people includes security personnel, admin staff political bearers and councillors.

There are fears that the virus might have been transmitted to other communities being serviced by the community.

The dire situation has also been highlighted by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) in the province, who say the recent developments has forced rural municipalities into a tight corner.

“We are extremely worried and concerned about these developments. Municipalities are a coalface of government and service delivery and councillors has never had any lockdown, they’ve worked throughout.