GEORGE NEWS - Residents of the Gushindoda informal settlement in Thembalethu have been left devastated after days of heavy rain caused severe flooding across several areas in Ward 12.
Speaking to George Herald on Thursday 7 May, Ward 12 councillor Eric Mdaka said numerous families were displaced when the floodwaters swept through the homes in the Zone 8 informal settlement.
According to Mdaka, areas such as Edameni, Mandela Village, All Bricks, France, Botswana and New Valley were badly affected by the persistent rain that started earlier this week. Mandela Village was among the hardest-hit areas; water from a nearby dam overflowed, leaving many residents trapped by rising floodwaters.
More than 18 families were directly affected, while additional families from other parts of Ward 12 also required emergency assistance.
“All the affected people were accommodated at All Bricks Hall because they had nowhere else to stay,” Mdaka said.
He said informal settlements are often overlooked when it comes to infrastructure and service delivery, leaving residents vulnerable during severe weather conditions.
Mdaka expressed his hope that the latest disaster would accelerate housing allocation and the formalisation of informal settlements to help protect these residents in future.
Anyone who would like to donate blankets, food or clothing may contact him on 073 207 0570.
Many homes were flooded by the heavy rain. Photos: Zama Gagu
The wet road to a spaza shop after the heavy storm.‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
