Picture: Houses submerged in water in Deelpan/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The residents of Deelpan said it’s been two years since the devastating floods destroyed their homes and left them destitute, however, nothing has changed despite promises from the government.
One of the residents, Mamaeng Modisakeng (65) said her life has been turned upside down and she cannot continue to bear the brunt of heavy rains. Modisakeng further said her house was submerged in bodies of water in February 2023.
“The heavy rains struck twice last year. We saw government officials coming to our shores and making promises. However, nothing has changed. There is no communication at all between the government and the people on the ground.
“The trials and devastation of floods continue to be a reminder in our daily lives. I think it will be best if the government implements water and sanitation infrastructure that will barricade water from entering our homes,” she added.
The Democratic Alliance spokesperson on Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) in North West, Freddy Sonakile said R54.9 million was made available by the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) to reconstruct damaged homes in Deelpan, but many remain impoverished.
“While the DA acknowledges the provincial government’s intention to rebuild houses for those who were affected as well as to construct new homes for beneficiaries, we believe preference should be given to reconstruct those homes that were damaged by the floods and remain underwater to this day.
“The North West acting Premier, Nono Maloyi indicated during his Human Settlements Budget Speech this year that, the residents agreed to be relocated to a new site, where the construction of new houses was supposed to be underway.
“Typical of the ANC in government, we only found a vacant plot of land during an oversight inspection of the area. During our engagement with residents, it was clear that the NWPG had failed them. Residents confirmed that several meetings were held with government officials, but nothing tangible has come from those – only empty promises. Many of the affected residents are still forced to share accommodation with relatives and have nowhere else to go,” he said.
Sonakile said the Deelpan story is a sad reminder of how this ANC government has no sympathy for the desperation of citizens. He said two years ago, ANC leaders, Ministers, MECs, and officials swarmed the Deelpan community in blue-light VIP convoys making all sorts of promises to rebuild and uplift the Deelpan community.
“Today, the village is quiet as if no disaster ever took place, with nothing but the remnants of some houses still submerged in water and impassable gravel roads. The NWPG should account for every cent spent to date of the R54.9 million and provide a detailed timeline for when the construction of houses at the identified new site would be completed, along with the bulk infrastructure necessary to service the new development,” said Sonakile.
Meanwhile, the North West acting Premier, Nono Maloyi is set to introduce a contractor on Friday. The contractor will build 106 houses for the flood victims.
Speaking on behalf of the department with regard to the introduction of the contractor, The Deputy Director of Human Settlement Quality Assurance, Project Management and Implementation Unit, Macmillan Keboneilwe said: “The department has appointed Gabotloge PTY (LTD) a contractor and is responsible for completing the project of providing houses for the flood victims.
“The appointed contractor will complete the first phase of the project, which includes the construction of 103 housing units in a 5-hectare land allocated by Kgosi Kogodi Molete of Bakolobeng Traditional Authority. It is envisaged that, the project will be completed by March 2024,” said Keboneilwe.
According to Keboneilwe, the department had an initial plan of building temporary structures, but it was rejected by residents citing that they wanted permanent structures, so the department engaged with the Housing Development Agency (HDA) to conduct a preliminary investigation and provide a Geotechnical report as to whether the allocated land is suitable for Human Settlements.
He said the department acknowledges that the project was delayed for a long time due to the investigations and administrative processes and would like to affirm Deelpan residents that they will soon move into their new homes.
“As the department, we are very confident in the appointed contractor and believe that he will complete the project. Gabotloge (PTY) LTD is a very competent construction company with a credible track record in the department for construction of low-cost houses (RDPs),” said Keboneilwe.
The Guardian 