Burgersfort remains a cause for concern amid COVID-19 rampant spread

BURGERSFORT – Limpopo Premier Chupu Mathabatha embarked on COVID-19 lockdown regulations related monitoring, enforcement and education drive in Burgersfort on last Thursday.

Premier Mathabatha was accompanied by Executive Committee (Exco) members during the walk-about in Sekhukhune district’s mining town struggling with over population and social distancing challenges.

Together with the COVID-19 Provincial Command Council team, Premier Mathabatha urged people to stay indoors and wear masks in the event that they left homes to work, buy essentials or to seek medical services.

Sekhukhune Executive Mayor, Stanley Ramaila said it had always been spoken that Burgersfort was one of the COVID-19 related hotspots in the district.

 “You can see by the levels of non-compliance at shops and by individuals. And… unfortunately, we have always said that the fight against Coronavirus is a collective effort. But today proved that as government we must do more currently and beyond,” said Ramaila.

As the Provincial Command Council team traversed several areas in the mining town to assess the level of adherence by individuals and businesses to the COVID-19 lockdown regulations, a number of shops were closed down for non-compliance with individuals arrested. 

 “Look at the number of people arrested and the shops we closed for non-compliance. Indeed I am deeply worried,” said Ramaila.

The team also made discoveries of water theft and electricity through illegal connections in Ga-Mashamothane.

Places visited included businesses around Ga-Mashamothane, Praktiseer and Steelpoort up to the Steelbridge.

Ramaila appealed to residents of Sekhukhune to be very vigilant because the reality of Coronavirus and its claim on lives.

Ralepane Mamekoa, Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality said, together with Premier Mathabatha, they went to various areas such as extension 10, Ga-Mashamothane and Praktiseer were they found people not practicing against the provisions of the lockdown regulations.

“We are appealing to Fetakgomo Tubatse residents to abide by the regulations because if we do not do so we won’t be able to fight the spread of Coronavirus. We also appeal to businesses to observe social distancing,” said Mamekoa