Political parties console flood victims

Political parties consoled victims of the recent floods which wreaked havoc in the Joburg and Ekurhuleni metro councils.
A two-and-a-half-year-old child from the Setswetla Informal Settlement was swept away when the Jukskei River broke its banks and other residents lost valuable property and vehicles in the flood. The victims were residents of shacks along the river and the flooding river took them by surprise and in the dark.

The aftermath was mayhem with uprooted trees, and mattresses, wardrobe tables and other household items strewn along the banks together with washed up motor vehicles. Residents tried to salvage what they could.
The provincial government and City Council summoned the Disaster Management Service which coordinated temporary help.
In a statement, the Inkatha Freedom Party’s (IFP) Gauteng chairperson Bonginkosi Dhlamini noted with sadness the trail of destruction, death, injuries and the loss of property. He said the floods were a periodical occurrence countrywide that was to be expected but not preventable. The statement urged Gauteng residents to erect their shelters on higher ground, and motorists to drive carefully and reduce speed when caught in a downpour.
To save lives, curb flooding, conserve water and create employment, the statement called on the Departments of Water Affairs, and Forestry and Agriculture to seriously consider the IFP’s idea of constructing more dams and catchments across rivers and streams. This, it said, was a better t option for government rather than spending money on the notorious e-toll system.
The African National Congress expressed deepest condolences to the victims saying that as a caring party, it was its priority to visit the affected families, and to comfort and assist them where possible. It said the party’s provincial chairperson and MEC for Housing, Paul Mashatile activated the Joburg Disaster Management Centre to coordinate support, investigate the damage and organise required assistance.
Details: Bonginkosi Dhlamini 082 565 3571; Motalatale Modiba 072 515 3022.