GEORGE NEWS - The challenges faced in informal settlements during the Covid-19 lockdown period have been a key priority for opposition parties in George.

On the fourth day of lockdown, last week Monday 30 March, opposition councillors pointed out what they saw as shortcomings in municipal measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic in townships. 

By the start of the second week of lockdown (Friday 3 April), George ANC Councillor Langa Langa, who also holds the position as regional secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP), issued a statement on behalf of the SACP, for further probing in these matters.

Langa said he and other political party leaders (ANC, PBI, AIC, Icosa and SAC) visited some communities in George as part of an oversight trip. 

He had a lot to say about the local municipality's role in townships (lack of water and toilet facilities in squatter camps) and its treatment of public representatives (such as councillors) in George, whom he alleged stay home on the DA's instructions rather than help raise awareness about Covid-19. 

He said many people are in need of "social distress relief grants". 

Water, toilets and awareness
The George Municipality disputes the opposition's claim. According to municipal spokesperson Chantel Edwards-Klose, the municipality's supply of water points and toilets in informal settlements far exceed the required ratio as prescribed by the national department. 

"Despite the high standard applied by George Municipality, our Directorate of Human Settlements is working to improving this ratio as quickly as possible," she said.

In response to Langa's criticism, the DA Regional Chair Jaco Londt said now is not the time for political games by parties. 

"The Western Cape government, as well as the municipalities across the province, are doing their best to get us through the crisis period, together with the National Government as well as other role players. As DA Regional Chairman I am comfortable with the actions taken to date by our DA-controlled governments. 

"Where we do find problems, they are addressed by the structures that have been put in place, as well, and as quickly as possible."

Asked whether their Covid-19 awareness campaign in townships is proving to be effective, Edwards-Klose said the campaign is being rolled out at great speed, and George Municipality has ensured that all communications received from both national and provincial government are being disseminated to the public, media and Council. 

"George Municipality is focusing on information around the essential services that the administration needs to keep in place for our residents, as well as informing our greater communities of the Covid-19 pandemic with all of the communication channels available to us, including multi-lingual posters, radio adverts on community radio stations, voice notes and WhatsApp graphics."

She said updates on social media (including Facebook, the municipal website and application) are constantly updated, and extensive and repeated loudhailing has taken place in various areas in George.

Informal trading
Informal traders selling fruit and vegetables are allowed in George, provided they are in possession of a valid permit. "Please note this does not include the preparation or selling of hot food," said Edwards-Klose. 

National Government has amended the regulations issued last week to allow informal traders and spaza shops to trade within the confines of Covid-19 lockdown.

Cape Town, however, was a bit slower to implement the amended regulations. Brett Herron of the Good Party issued a statement last Sunday, 5 April, saying, "With street trading prohibited in the first week of lockdown, supermarkets became magnets for large gatherings of people - many of whom traditionally buy food from street traders, anyway. Crowding defeats the purpose of lockdown - to limit contact with other people - and undermines the national effort."

Herron asked premier Alan Winde to shake up and allow street sales of food and vegetables within informal settlements, which are further away from shops.

Moeggehuur in New Dawn Park is one of many informal settlements in George. Photo: Michelle Pienaar

Population density
An article on Moneyweb, Virus lockdowns confront billions working in the shadow economy", reflects on the fact that the containment model implemented in first world countries may not be suited to poorer states. The article discusses the global situation in squatter camps, referring to the population density in such areas, as well as the fact that most of these residents are part of the "shadow economy".

In essence, their businesses are unregistered, informal, and what they make that day is food on the table. Asked about plans for the de-densification of squatter camps in George during the Covid-19 pandemic, Edwards-Klose said George Municipality has, in line with national regulations, begun reviewing options available for the city in this regard.

"National Government noted a de-densification programme for informal settlements, which throughout South Africa house approximately 1,4 million households. [In George] the availability of funding, reprioritising of budget and installation of services all need to be taken into account during this process."

Read a related article: Hunger rears its face in George

'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'