UPDATE on Flooding of John Taolo Gaetsewe – A multisectoral disaster response team has been established to coordinate relief efforts following devastating floods that struck the John Taolo Gaetsewe District on 30 April.

The team, established by MEC for COGHSTA Bentley Vass and MEC for Roads & Public Works Fufe Makatong, comprises municipalities in the John Taolo Gaetsewe and stakeholders across the district.

Impact

More than 85 villages in the Joe Morolong municipal area have been affected. Twenty-six bridges collapsed due to severe rain and flooding, while multiple houses have been submerged by floodwater. Roads, infrastructure and road signage sustained damage.

The N14 road has been closed, forcing motorists to use alternative routes.

In Ga-Segonyana, 250 households have been affected, while 200 households in Gamagara Local Municipality have been impacted.

Twenty-six schools in the district have closed, affecting more than 13 000 learners, many of whom rely on scholar transport.

The flooding has disrupted 20 agricultural projects and the Foot and Mouth Disease vaccination programme. Farm households and mud houses have been damaged.

Blocked ablutions in RDP houses in Ga-Segonyana have been reported, while 51 informal settlement structures in Mapoteng (Gamagara) were affected.

In Kathu, multiple vehicles were damaged by fallen trees, at least 14 households sustained structural damage, and municipal electricity services in parts of Kathu Plaas were disrupted.

Response measures

Mobile health services such as Re A Fola and Vertice will be rerouted to other areas due to poor road access. Patients are being transferred to facilities in the North West, while the Van Zylsrus community hall is being used for acute, child and women’s health services.

Soup kitchens have been extended to affected communities. A housing needs register is being compiled and affected families are being accommodated in community halls.

Authorities are compiling lists of households that have lost home affairs documents.

High-risk roads and bridges across the district have been closed immediately. Warning signage and public advisories have been deployed.

SAPS provided a helicopter to assess affected routes and drones for flood mapping.

The provincial government has called for strengthened bylaws, particularly in rural areas where communities are allocated land on low-lying areas and along flood lines, and to address land invasions. The province is seeking intervention from mining houses and other organisations to assist flood-stricken areas.

MEC Makatong called for the development of climate-resilient strategies and for climate issues to be considered when building infrastructure.

The amended National Disaster Act requires municipalities and sector departments to budget for disasters.

Fatalities

Three fatalities due to drowning were reported in the Machogo, Baikedi and Seitshokelo families.

Social Development has been requested to extend soup kitchen services to displaced community members.

The Gift of the Givers has delivered aid to flood-hit communities across the district. Distribution began in Mecwetsaneng and is continuing in other parts of the district.

Shoprite has provided a mobile soup kitchen. Sishen Iron-Ore Community Development Trust and Red Cross have provided blankets and food hampers to affected communities.

Authorities said regular updates will be provided.