THE Eastern Cape government is rolling out drought relief in the Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi areas, which are running out of water.
The desperately needed intervention by the provincial Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform comes in the wake of severe drought and water shortages which have hit Chris Hani, Joe Gqabi, Alfred Nzo and parts of Amathole and OR Tambo districts.
Yesterday, the barometer soared into the high 30s and low 40s in the hinterland.
Shocking images of the mighty Orange River sucked dry and reduced to a patchwork of mud near Aliwal North circulated on social media.
Hundreds of thousands of litres of water had to be delivered to the Chris Hani district at the weekend to keep 9 000 heads of livestock alive.
Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane said the Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi municipalities were worst-hit.
“The department is in the process of acquiring 1 602 000 litres of water to support Joe Gqabi affected areas.
“In addition, boreholes and windmills are being repaired in all affected districts.”
He said 100 water tanks had been delivered to droughtstricken areas, and a further 200 tanks were being procured.
The intervention follows a decision by Bhisho to put R62.7-million into a drought-relief plan for farmers.
Last month, Qoboshiyane told farmers at the official launch of the cropping season that his department had formulated a drought joint operations committee with other departments and municipalities.
He said his department would be procuring 520 tons of lucerne, 260 tons of hay and 52 blocks of mineral lick for all affected districts.
“Department officials are interacting with farmers to educate them about livestock management during the time of drought,” he said.
Yesterday, Water Affairs and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane met Qoboshiyane and other stakeholders to direct the relief effort.
Water dried up in large areas of Buffalo City Metro over the Christmas weekend.
Yesterday, dramatic pictures of an empty Orange River – South Africa’s longest river – in the Aliwal North area emerged.
Some sections of the river have dried up completely.
In additional to forming international and provincial borders, the Orange plays an important role in the South African economy by providing water for irrigation, as well as hydroelectric power.
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