329 FAMILIES have been affected by the floods that has caused havoc in the Vaal area, Gauteng.
35 homes have been destroyed and 70 residents displaced.
This was confirmed byEmfuleni Municipality and the department of Human- Settlement in Gauteng officials.
Police and water rescue teams are still searching for two or more bodies missing.
MEC for Housing and Infrastructure, Lebogang Maile, had visited the flooded area to offer assistance, including a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Mphikeleli Msibi, spokesperson for the Municipality, says several main roads around Sebokeng, Vanderbijlpark, Sebokeng, and other parts of Vereeniging were affected. Low-lying bridges had been destroyed, and the power supply had been interrupted.
“We have now closed down certain roads with sand bags because when we put up red tape, people still find a way to cross, and we are trying to save lives with these barricades,” he said.
“The mayor has deployed the MMC of Health and Social Development to ensure that affected families get psychosocial support; they have also offered blankets, food and other essentials to those that have been affected,” says Msibi, also pointing out the families of the missing people were feeling impatient with the search for their missing loved ones.
“We understand that the families feel frustrated by the slow pace of the search, but the municipality is there for support, and we are in prayer with them,” he said.
The Department of Water and Sanitation sent a statement a few days ago indicating that 12 floodgates would be open to relieve pressure from the Vaal dam.
There were fears that the dam would not be able to retain the amount of water that had been contained at over 100%, but these have been allayed by experts.
Some community members complained that the dam should have been relieved much earlier and blamed the government for the floods that occurred following the opening of the floodgates.
Tourism and other businesses have been affected and this has been exacerbated by loadshedding.
Image (Danger. Cars crossing floods in Vaal).
