By REGINALD KANYANE

Many residents across the North West province were affected by torrential rains recently. Now, the North West Premier, Bushy Maape has assembled a committee to deal with disaster inflicted by torrential rains.g

Residents in Kraaipan, Mareetsane and Madibogo villages near Mahikeng including Christiana and Bloemhof in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region were severely affected. Two bridges in Kraaipan were washed away, while one bridge was destroyed in Mareetsane and the other one was damaged due to rainfalls.

North West MEC for Cooperative, Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Lenah Miga visited the residents staying along the Bloemhof Dam on Wednesday.

Residents were forced to be evacuated from their business premises and private homes due to recent floods.

“We visited the area to assess the situation at the Bloemhof Dam after the residents had been warned early this week to evacuate the area in the wake of heavy rains.  The dam is now filled to capacity and the sluice gates have been opened to release the water pressure which has now reached 2000 cubic meter per second.

“The disaster management team in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality is on high alert for any eventuality, and is working with sector departments in the district to assist where necessary,” she said.

Miga said the committee assembled by Maape comprises of MECs of Public Works and Roads, Education, Social Development, Health, Community Transport and Safety Management and Finance, including Mayors from Bojanala Platinum, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipalities.

The Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality mayor, Sebang Motlhabi, told Newsnote that the municipality was working overtime to ensure everyone who is affected gets help.

Motlhabi said because the majority of farms around this municipality were sitting on the Vaal Dam, the Water and Sanitation department decided to open the sluice of up to 150% water average.

“As a result of that, those who are living next to the dam have been affected because their houses have been flooded. But as the municipality we have arranged transport to evacuate them so that they can get alternative accommodation.

“We are going to put systems in place to make sure that we assist our people,” Motlhabi said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau said: “The department will continue to monitor all registered dam levels during this rainy season. As dam levels continue to rise, the department sternly warns the public to stay  off the rivers and dams, even near the banks as most incidents occur during the wet and slippery season.

“As of 14 January 2022, the North West Provincial weekly levels have slightly decreased from 75.0% to 74.6%. Last year at this point, the provincial water storage recorded 64.5% water storage. Those that have improved are Buffelspoort from 100.7% to 100.8%; Lindsleypoort Dam from 38.6 % to 39.2% and Taung Dam from 98.6% to 99.2%,” Ratau said.

He added that Hartbeespoort has slightly decreased from 96.5% to 96.2%. Ratau said other dams remain unchanged and urged communities to continue to apply water conservation even amidst this rainy season.

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By THEEBEETSILE KEAMEDITSE

North West Premier, Bushy Maape said his government has re-committed itself to work with traditional leaders to address challenges of socio-economic concern confronting the province.

As part of solidifying and strengthening relations with traditional councils across the province, Maape who was accompanied by Members of the Executive Council (MECs) paid homage to the Barolong Boora Tshidi Royal Family on Wednesday.

The visit was preceded by laying the wreath at the burial site of struggle veteran and the first recording secretary of the African National Congress (ANC), George Dick Montshioa, where the government committed to give the site a facelift by erecting a statue in his memory.

Maape said the government has also committed to prioritise the socio-economic development of the provincial capital through provision of services and creation of jobs. He further said this will include upgrading the drainage system as well as resurfacing the roads in Mahikeng and surrounding areas.

“These are the on-going efforts by the government in cementing relations with traditional leaders by expediting the delivery of services and creating jobs. Our priorities are centred on infrastructure development, service delivery as well as promoting and preserving the history of Barolong with the sole purpose of re-igniting tourism in the provincial capital.

“This will go a long way in creating jobs for our people. Moreover, this will attract investment and our people will be able to participate actively in the economy” he said.  

Maape added that further engagements between the government and Barolong Boora Tshidi will continue to ensure the implementation of commitments made.

Kgosi Jeff Montshioa of Barolong Boora Tshidi believes the commitments by the government are a step in the right direction.

“Mahikeng is the ancestral land of the Barolong people. They played an important role in the liberation and democratisation of this country. We are grateful that the government is now recognising this important role by honouring our forebears.

“We are also elated that they are forging a relationship in finding solutions to many challenges affecting our communities,” said Montshioa.

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(Edited by: Obakeng Maje)