GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The New Year brought about positive new developments for the municipality. It is with great excitement that one of the many plans to improve revenue in the municipality has realized.
I am exhilarated to announce the opening of the Graaff-Reinet Vehicle Testing Station. The station was out of operation for 5 years and under the auspices of the new director, Mr. G.W Hermanus and manager Mr. R Mattys, finally re-opened.
The station will officially open for community on Monday, 1 February 2021 . It will operate Monday to Thursday from 08h00 until 14h30 and Fridays 08h00 until 12h00.
The Willowmore VTS is currently closed due to upgrades. Opening dates of the station will be communicated.
Despite the drought experienced in our area, one of the towns within our jurisdiction is blessed and the effect of drought was not as dire as in the other towns. Nieu-Bethesda is known for the fountain water that flows all through town notably in furrows.
A few weeks ago, the town lived up to its name, which biblically refers to a place of water, when a storm hit the town and water flooded the streets. Unfortunately, the flow of water was so strong that it broke water pipes supplying water to households and left many without water for more than a week.
There was a delay in procuring new pipes due to businesses that was still closed for the festive season. In the waiting period the municipality carted water to communities in the town.
The municipality managed to have the 4 new pipes procured, delivered, and installed. The 5th borehole is currently not supplying water due to it not having enough water. Plans are underway to address this matter.
Illegal dumping is a consistent problem in all the towns. Cleaning of these sites has commenced in ward 2, 4, 5 and will roll out to other areas soon. I again want to plea with communities to refrain from dumping their refuse and only put refuse out in days scheduled for collection.
Lastly, Covid-19 is still amongst us and is very much a reality that cannot be ignored. Even though the statistics have decreased noticeable with a recovery rate of approximately 95%, there is still an alarming resurgence is some areas of Dr Beyers Naude.
The statistics as at 27 January 2021 indicates only 5 new cases for the area, with 33 active cases and unfortunately, 134 deaths for the period March 2020 to 27 January 2021.
The President, Honourable Cyril Ramaphosa, announced in his address to the Nation on 11 January 2021 that a massive programme of vaccination will be undertaken to achieve immunity across our population and therefore slow the spread of the virus.
Vaccinations will be rolled out in 3 phases starting with healthcare workers.
Communities are urged to continue wearing a mask, always wash your hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer and practice social distancing. Also, as stated by the President, avoid closed spaces, crowded places, and close contact.
Stay safe.
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