Port St John’s Gandaganda Residence Forum Chairperson, Jessie Willard confirmed that heavy rainfall had led to flooding again in Port St Johns today, October 10; this is the second incident this year.
She said as a resident of Green’s Farm area in Port St. Johns, her family is always affected because they have been residing there since birth.
“I am very hurt, and it is depressing because we can see that nobody is concerned about the maintenance drains that are blocked. People are unwilling to hear from us as residents because it appears as if we want to tell them how to do their job, yet it is not the case,” said Willard.
She said some of them throw away furniture every year and have to restart with no assistance; others have still been unable to return to their houses since last year.
She said when President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa visited the area in March this year, he promised them that everything would be fine, but until now, the drains are still blocked due to the overflow every year.
“We are sick and tired and more depressed in this situation. They move us to halls when this happens, Non-Profit Organizations (NPO) assist us with food parcels, and locals then tell us to return to the same problems we face every year.”
Ganda-Ganda Residence Forum Treasurer, Nzamela Ncoyini, said floods submerge some of the Green’s Farm area houses. He said there are streets that drivers cannot use because they are flooded.
“The situation is worse, and we have to avail Youth Centre Hall so that we can accommodate those residents who need places to sleep. It is the only hall that is available. Town Hall will be flooded soon, and Luxolweni Hall is already flooded,” said Ncoyini.
OR Tambo District Municipality spokesperson, Zimkhita Macingwane said the Executive Mayor for this municipality, Mesuli Ngqondwana, would like to caution members of their communities to remain extra vigilant during heavy downpours that are being experienced in different parts of the districts.
“The South African Weather Services has warned of expected disruptive rains that could flood various places over the district. To ensure that our community members are safe, the Disaster and Risk Management teams are on high alert and have already observed high water levels in parts of Coffee Bay in King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality and the Green Farm area in Port St Johns Local Municipality,” said Macingwane.
She said Ngqondwana urges communities to avoid crossing flooded rivers and lakes and to evacuate to high-lying areas where necessary.
