BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE local government and human settlements in North West has spent R1.3m to assist those who were misplaced after torrential rains. The province experienced torrential rains during the weekend.

The department of local government and human settlements spokesperson, Ben Bole said the province co-ordinate humanitarian relief for families whose houses and belongings got destroyed by torrential rains and hail storm in Ngaka Modiri Molema district which has worst hit.

“The department is working with different stakeholders in the province. We have engaged The South African Red Cross Society, South African Social Security (SASSA), Social Development department, Ngaka Modiri Molema district and affected local municipalities to address the situation. The South African Red Cross Society and SASSA have already started to distribute food parcels, blankets and provide social relief distress grant to affected families,” Bole said.

He said number of incidents have been reported throughout the district in Mahikeng, Ditsobotla and Tswaing local municipalities where shacks have been blown away. Bole said formal structures’ like roofs damaged and window panes damaged. 

He said through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PMDC), the department spent R1.3m so far. “We have received assistance from other relevant stakeholders including Community Development Workers. We will continue to attend to cases reported and make the necessary arrangements to make the lives of those affected less unbearable.

“Whilst the PMDC is currently sourcing temporary shelter. We made arrangements for the repair of damaged shacks. We also donated 80 shacks to the victims. We would like to urge those who can afford to rebuild their houses. We will also put more effort on those that have been adversely affected,” Bole said.

He said other incidents took place in Bojanala platinum district in Kgetleng, Moretele, Madibeng local municipalities. Bole said a house has collapsed and others experienced broken window panes. According to him, also an early learning centre has been destroyed by strong winds.

“Bojanala platinum district municipality has been able to co-ordinate the provision of the necessary humanitarian relief for the affected families and will continue to monitor the situation,” Bole said.

One of the victims, Kesenogile Galebodiwe from Atamelang village near Delareyville said: “I lost a house after the strong rains washed it away. The strong winds and rains broke my windows. Now I do not know where to go. I hope the municipality and government will assist. It will be difficult to build another house because I am unemployed. As a single parent and a mother of three, the rains left a void.”

No incidents have been reported in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Dr Kenneth Kaunda district municipalities.

-TDN

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