Hundreds of residents from Emsindweni informal settlement in Makhaza have evacuated their shacks after they were flooded during the heavy rains that affected many parts of the province for the past two weeks.
The South African Weather Service expects more rain the in coming days, starting today (18 July).
In the meantime, some affected residents are squatting with friends and family members, while others are temporarily accommodated in the local churches and crèches.
Nolwando Folokwe, one of the victims, described her living conditions as appalling.
However, she was adamant about not leaving her shack and urged the City to intervene in their disaster.
“We know we illegally occupied the land, forced by conditions we had encountered in the various where we lived previously. But the conditions here are worse now. We need a safer space,” said Folokwe.
The mother of two added that some residents had left their shacks because of the flooding. She mentioned that her roof also leaked whenever it rained. She labelled the area as a wetland.
“We are flooded-out here when it rains. We know when winter rains occur we are going to be flooded. All my furniture and groceries are damp. My refrigerator and television set have been damaged by the rain.”
Community leader Banele Ntabeni said more than 200 people evacuated their shacks during the rains. He said they were concerned about the weather conditions this year.
“We have been residing here for almost seven years. We were never affected by floods this way before. We would like the City to send trucks to absorb the water and fix all the blocked drains.”
In a statement released on Monday 15 July, Charlotte Powell, the City’s Disaster Risk Management spokesperson, said the Disaster Coordinating Team has been conducting multiple briefings to assess the impacts and monitor the efforts to address service challenges like residential flooding, flooding of roads and infrastructure, the removal of obstructions like trees from roadways, electricity outages, as well as responses to emergency incidents.
She said since Wednesday 3 July approximately 158 097 people have been affected and 47 663 structures flooded or damaged.
“Disaster Risk Management officials are continuing with assessments in communities as calls are being logged. There has been a substantial increase in calls for assistance from backyard dwellers and assessments are being made in these areas. The City’s Informal Settlements Management Department issued 1 090 flood kits in various informal settlements over the weekend, in addition to the kits handed out during the week,” Powell said, adding the City’s Roads and Stormwater had provided milling, sand and sandbags.
She stated that the non governmental organisations (NGO) partners Al Imdaad, Islamic Relief, Gift of the Givers, Salvation Army, Mealson Wheels, Mustadafin Foundation, Ashraful and SASSA have come to affected residents’aid with humanitarian relief.
“With rivers and other water bodies already at full capacity, catchment management officials are closely monitoring these waterways. Weather-related power outages are currently affecting twenty-four areas across the city and officials are working non stop to restore power.
“Many roadways have been affected, either by flooding or rock falls and mudslides. Work is ongoing to address these impacts.”
