Candidates for run-off local elections in Siliana continue campaign prior to electoral silenceMchunu to engage stakeholders on Mfolozi river catchment resource development

Candidates for the run-off local elections in Siliana are carrying on their campaign until midnight on Friday, before the electoral silence. Candidate Nizar Atiri for South Makther, who secured 330 votes in the first round, pledged to work for upgrading infrastructure, increasing support to farmers, developing the industrial zone and establishing a museum in the region. Hamdi Ben Rebiha, running in the same constituency with 318 votes in the first round, presented a programme aimed to upgrade infrastructure and sports facilities, refurbish schools and build a local hospital. Candidate Mohamed Kamel Arfaoui, running in North Bourouis, undertook develop public institutions, bring administrative services closer to citizens, set up a sanitation network and boost the industrial sector. Bourouis local council is made up of six constituencies, three of which are in the running for the run-off. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, will next week meet with various stakeholders in the water sector to hear their inputs on the water resource development projects in the Mfolozi catchment area in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Apart from Pongola and Mkuze Rivers in KwaZulu-Natal, the Mfolozi River Catchment is one of the rivers that supplies water to uMkhanyakude and Zululand District Municipalities. The department said 75% of allocated water from Mfolozi River is used for domestic use, afforestation, and irrigation. However, the department said the growing population in the two districts has resulted in increased water demands for household consumption and from other sectors like forestry and agriculture. 'The Department of Water and Sanitation, together with its sector partners, has developed a water resource reconciliation strategy for Mfolozi catchment, which consists of surface water resource development projects, including the raising of Klipfontien Dam, construction of Usuthu Dam and the deve lopment of a dam in lower Mfolozi,' the department said. Mchunu and Deputy Ministers, David Mahlobo and Judith Tshabalala, together with Umkhanyakude District Municipality Mayor, Siphile Mdaka, will on Tuesday meet with different stakeholders, including Mtubatuba traditional leaders, to get their inputs on the development and implementation of the water resource reconciliation strategy for Mfolozi catchment. The meeting will be held at KwaMshaya in Mtubatuba. Update on Phoenix and Tongaat water supply challenges Meanwhile, Mchunu will over the weekend hold a meeting with residents from Verulam, Phoenix and Tongaat to provide updates on measures aimed at resolving water supply challenges within the three areas. The meeting follows water supply challenges in areas under eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, particularly Verulam, Phoenix and Tongaat, north of Durban. In a detailed joint statement issued on 26 January 2024, the Department of Water and Sanitation, including the City of eThekwini, and uMngeni- uThukela Water, outlined current and future measures to be implemented to address the continuous water supply challenges, which continue to plague the city, exacerbated by adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rains. During the meeting to be held on Sunday, Mchunu, together with eThekwini Executive Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, will address the residents, and provide a progress report on measures to restore water supply. Source: South African Government News Agency