1. HON. Members, the Minority Front notes that municipalities spent 65.9% of the total Adjusted Budget expenditure, which 9.1% below the straight line projection of 75% as at the end of the third quarter of the 2016/17 financial year.
2. Hon. Members, it’s also noted that this percentage is lower in comparison to the Operating expenditure of 67.2% achieved in the third quarter of the previous financial year.
3. A serious concern of the Minority Front is, HON. Members, the major water and sanitation crises experienced by some hospitals which were noted during the Health oversight visits.
4. Hospitals in urban areas and rural areas have water supply problems which, if bills are not paid, they are cut off from receiving supply.
5. The Addington and Mahatma Gandhi Hospitals are such examples due to non-payment. While Doris Goodwin Hospital has jo-jo tanks, and while Appelsbosch Hospital is reservoir dependant, they would be severely affected by low rainfall and the drying up of the reservoir.
6. The water crises at these, and, other hospitals is restricting service delivery, also exacerbates sanitation problems, and contributes to unhygienic work environment for both medical personnel and patients.
7. HON. Members, this water and sanitation situation at hospitals requires urgent intervention to prevent further health and operational issues becoming unmanageable.
8. The Minority Front proposes that a proper water policy be developed to address these issues with a view to helping the affected hospitals deliver on their mandates.
9. Thank you.

Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi

Minority Front Leader (KZN Legislature)