The Covid-19 informal settlement is among those in Cape Town affected by flooding following weeks of heavy rains. (Luke Daniel/ News24)
- More than 16 000 flood kits were handed out to people severely affected by the weather earlier this month.
- Sassa said it had provided social relief to 13 074 flood victims.
- A state of disaster was declared in the Western Cape.
The City of Cape Town said its human settlements directorate had given more than 16 000 flood kits to dwellings in informal settlements and other types of housing.
More than 37 areas across the metro, including Khayelitsha, Lwandle, Nomzamo, Gugulethu, Masiphumelele, Macassar, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Mfuleni, Tafelsig, Vygieskraal and Ocean View were impacted by floods that battered the province earlier this month.
Mayco member for human settlements, Carl Pophaim, said assessments were ongoing and assistance was offered to those impacted by the storms because more rain was expected over the weekend.
“Unfortunately, the rains continue, and we are on the ground, conducting our assessments and helping those in need. We have been able to help where we can with kits comprising plastic sheeting and nails, relocations in some instances, and milling material delivered to soak up the water where possible,” said Pophaim.
“With even more rainfall expected over the weekend, our teams are on standby to assist where possible,” he said.
READ | ‘We’re waiting for answers’: Citrusdal farmers frustrated over wait for road repairs
Initial assessments indicate that 179 settlements across the metro are located in areas close to water bodies and/or below the flood line, which makes it more vulnerable to flooding.
Pophaim said officials were evaluating “all high risk informal settlements in low lying areas and floodplains”, to develop a relocation strategy detailing what would be required to move residents out of such spaces.
Meanwhile, the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) in the Western Cape said it had provided social relief to 13 074 flood victims in July and the amount was increasing daily.
The areas to which Sassa sent its teams include:
- Du Noon,
- Philippi,
- Khayelitsha,
- Macassar,
- Manenberg,
- Mfuleni,
- Gugulethu,
- Eerste River,
- Mitchells Plain,
- Wallacedene,
- Uitsig,
- Delft,
- Eindhoven,
- Hanover Park,
- Leonsdale,
- Eastridge,
- Bishop Lavis,
- Kraaifontein,
- Mfuleni,
- Old Crossroads,
- Fish Hoek,
- Kleinvlei Town,
- Graceland,
- Barnet Molokwana Corner,
- Macassar,
- Nyanga and,
- Samora Machel.
Sassa’s spokesperson, Annelize Bester, said relief was offered to any needy victims.
“People affected by the disaster received humanitarian relief, even if they were in receipt of a social grant,” Bester said.
According to Sassa, hot meals were provided daily to displaced or evacuated people, while those who had lost everything received a bed, blanket, mattress as well as other basic essentials.
Sassa said the support offered was determined by officials involved in the Joint Operations Centre meetings.
News24 previously reported that a state of disaster had been declared in the Western Cape after the storms.
The cost of damage caused has already been estimated to amount to more than R1 billion.
Authorities warned it would take a while before funding would be made available to repair the damage.
