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Disaster Management teams are on high alert to respond to any incidents of flooding following a few days of torrential rains, mayhem and cold weather across the Cape Metro.
Charlotte Powell, the City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management spokesperson, said the officials are monitoring high-risk areas to determine the need for humanitarian and engineering relief. “At least 28 incidents have been listed of areas where structural damage occurred due to the wind including Delft, Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Blue Downs, Somerset West, Northpine, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Monwabisi and commercial properties in Strand.
“At this stage the number of structures affected subject to more detailed assessment – are 2 779. Reports of flooding were received in Gaba Village (Leonsdale/Epping area), 12 structures in Empolweni, Khayelitsha and approximately 400 structures in Monwabisi,” said Powell.
She said in many instances affected residents have moved in with friends and family. She said the DRM has arranged humanitarian relief through its non government organisation (NGO) partners while the Roads Department is assisting with the provision of sand in some areas.
“More than 100 incidents of uprooted or damaged trees have been reported since Saturday. These incidents are being attended to by Recreation and Parks and the Traffic Service. Relevant City departments are dealing with burst pipes, electricity outages and managing remaining road closures.
In Makhaza, at least 17 shacks were damaged in various areas at ward 96 in Mkhaza.
Some of the victims are currently housed in a local church while others have moved in with their friends and families.
One of the victims, Siyamthanda Zishwayi said he was at work when his shack was damaged by the wind.
“I left my friend to sleep in my shack. He phoned me at about 01:30 on Sunday 7 April informing me that my shack was blown away by the wind. I reported it at work. Immediately, my supervisor took a car with me to drop at home. When I arrived, my shack was hanging on my neighbour’s yard and some of the zinc sheets were removed,” explained Zishwayi, adding that with his friends they had to destroy the shack and packed the zinc neatly.
He expressed his gratitude to his friend. “I don’t know why that day I asked my friend to sleep there. If he wasn’t there maybe my shack would have been gone,” he said.
Ward 96 informal settlement forum chair Masixole Mtyhida said in total 17 shacks were damaged in the ward. He said since the incident occurred they didn’t receive any assistance. “We are busy with the City’s Disaster Risk Management officials as we speak in the councillor’s office. They want the number of shacks that are affected in the area. What confuses us is that the incident occurred on Sunday morning and they are coming today (Tuesday 9 April). We didn’t receive anything. No food, no blankets, no shelter,” he explained, adding that they had to ask the local church to help those who don’t have a place to stay.
