SANDILE MOTHA
SMALL towns in KwaZulu-Natal have begun to feel the heat of the COVID-19 wave, leaving a trail of destruction with new infections spiralling out of controlling.
KwaDukuza local municipality on the province’s north coast has conceded that the virus has wrecked havoc to its workforce.
The frontline workers mainly those in the waste refuse collection and removal have reportedly been hit hard by the scourge.
So severe is the situation such that the local municipality has suspended collection of waste to minimise the risk of workers infecting each other.
Sipho Mkhize, municipal spokesperson confirmed to Inside Metros that the new wave of infections had overwhelmed the region and complicated the war against the virus.
“The municipality took a decision to suspend all refuse collection services as a measure to protect workers who are not yet infected. The decision was taken after we’ve seen a surge in new infections within the unit of waste management,” explained Mkhize.
He said the temporary measure will allow the infected workers to self-quarantine to minimise the risk of the virus being spread to co-workers.
“At this point we are also tightening our COVID-19 strategy and implementing safety measures to mitigate the mass spread of the virus in the workplace,” added Mkhize.
About 20 refuse collection workers have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.
Apart from KwaDukuza, Danhauser local municipality on the province’s far midlands has also been forced to close twice following the surge in infections within its workforce.
The risk of the frontline workers carrying the heavy brunt of the novel Corona virus has also been highlighted by the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU).
The majority union in the local government sector has since called for a danger allowance for workers in the coal face of the pandemic.
Early this week, KwaZulu -Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala announced that the province’s Corona virus hotspots and the numbers showed that the new wave of infections had reached rural districts which previously appeared less affected.
Local municipalities under King Cetshwayo and Zululand district are some of the areas severely affected by the new wave of infections.
eThekwini and uMgungundlovu districts are leading in the province.
KwaZulu -Natal has contributed about 27% of the new cases nationally, it also occupies the fourth place in the country with the highest infections.
Zikalala announced that the province was now reporting about 4000 COVID-19 positive cases daily.
Koena Ramotlou, SAMWU general secretary said according to the consolidated statistics of Covid-19 positive cases, more than 100 municipal workers have lost their lives to the virus. About 4571 workers have also tested positive.
“We reiterate our call to municipal workers that where their health and safety cannot be guaranteed, they should simply refuse to work. Service delivery cannot continue at the expense of the lives of municipal workers,” said Ramotlou.
(COMPILED BY INSIDE METROS STAFF)