WeeklySA_AdminPATTERN: Most of South Africa has been experiencing prolonged rainfall this week, since the beginning of the New Year…
By Montsho Matlala and SAnews
KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma has kick-started a wide inspection of roads and houses destroyed due to the persistent downpours in the province.
On Wednesday, Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba and other provincial government officials visited severely flood-damaged areas in Modimolle-Mookgopong in Waterberg District to assess the devastation. At least five people in Limpopo have drowned during the recent torrential rains in the province. Residents in parts of the province now face disruptions to health services.
Most parts of the country, including KwaZulu, Free State and Gauteng, have been experiencing prolonged rainfall, since the beginning of the New Year, which has damaged roads and houses in various areas.
Duma said the department has received a number of calls, including pictures, and videos from communities that are isolated and battling to access schools, hospitals, and socio-economic centres.
“Prolonged rainfall has caused so much havoc throughout the corners of the province. Bridges have been eroded, especially in deep rural areas, making it difficult for communities to access schools, clinics, and other socio-economic centres,” Duma said.
Duma said the rainfall has also affected the construction of new projects and worsened the condition of roads that are being repaired.
“Equally, as we move communities to new houses, a long list of residents without houses is increasing, following the destruction of their houses,” Duma said.
Duma said the department has offered to be on the side of the affected communities during this period – working with other departments and spheres of government.
The province-wide inspection kicked off in KwaMakhutha, KwaNgcolosi and Hillcrest, south west of Durban, where Duma observed the rehabilitation and repair of damaged roads in the areas.
Duma, who is working with roving teams from both departments, said the focus is on ensuring that the department accelerates its responses.
“Despite limited resources caused by recurring heavy rainfall and floods, we want to be closer to communities during this period of need,” Duma said.
The MEC is scheduled to visit Vryheid, Empangeni and Melmoth in northern KwaZulu-Natal, and various areas affected by the heavy rainfall in the province.
In Limpopo, services at the Witpoort Hospital in the Lephalale Local Municipality, Waterberg District have been suspended since Tuesday and patients evacuated because of severe threats of floods. Patients were evacuated during the day due to the overflow of the nearby Palala dam following heavy rains in the region, according to Limpopo health department spokesperson Neil Shakwambana.
“The overflow has caused significant flooding in the area, leading to the temporary closure of the hospital for safety and operational reasons,” explains Shikwambana in a statement.
The department assures the public the evacuation process was being carried out with utmost care and urgency to ensure that all patients have been transferred to a safe and secure environment.
“Community members around Witpoort Hospital who require medical assistance are advised to seek services at the nearby clinics of Shogoane, Seleka and Abbotspoort.
“Those with emergencies are advised to go to Ellisrus Hospital, which is fully operational and equipped to provide health care services during this emergency situation,” says the statement.
Medical staff and resources from Witpoort Hospital are being allocated to nearby facilities to ensure disruptions of essential health care do not occur.
A 51-year-old resident of Galakwena village in Mokopane says she could not leave her house to go for a medical check-up at Mokopane Hospital in Mahwelereng on Friday because her village was cut off.
“Roads were impassable, Kgole river here was overflowing, bridges are broken and every space was flooded. I only managed to go to Mokopane Hospital on Monday because water had subsided and I had to walk to spots which were manoeuvrable before I caught a lift,” she says.
On Wednesday, Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba and other provincial government officials visited severely flood-damaged areas in Modimolle-Mookgopong in Waterberg District to assess the devastation.
Earlier the premier declared her intention to request the national government to declare a state of disaster in Limpopo in order to release more resources to rebuild infrastructure and to save lives as threats of further downpours loom.
On Wednesday, the South African Weather Service issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and excessive lightning, leading to flooding in Gauteng, North West, Free State, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. – Additional reporting by Health e News, SAnews
Mirror Briefs
Banks to face scrutiny
Representatives from South Africa’s main banks will appear in parliament next month to explain their lending practices amid criticism that they unfairly discriminate against small business and those from lower-income groups that seek financing.
The Banking Association of South Africa and lenders Absa Group, Capitec Bank Holdings, Investec Plc, Nedbank Group, Standard Bank Group and Firstrand’s FNB unit will send officials to the meeting with parliament’s trade and finance committees on February 4, parliament said in a statement today.
“The meeting is to ensure that the banking sector in South Africa is open, transparent and of service to poor people to facilitate inclusion in the productive sectors of the economy,” Mzwandile Masina, the chairman of the trade committee said in the statement.
Banks make it easier to secure credit for consumption purposes than for production, an approach that “is disempowering, particularly for previously disadvantaged people,” he said.
The committees also intend to hold talks with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority to discuss the state of banking in South Africa, the industry’s credit profile, bank charges and other matters, according to the statement. – Paul Vecchiatto/Fullview
Mittal: Govt seeks solutions
Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth, has reaffirmed her department’s commitment to exploring all possible interventions to prevent job losses at ArcelorMittal, one of South Africa’s largest steel producers.
The Minister met with the management of the steel giant this morning, at the Vanderbijlpark Plant, amid the looming shut down of its operations in Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng.
The shutdown may result in the loss of 3500 jobs, and devastating ripple effects on families and businesses in surrounding areas.
Speaking after the meeting, Meth expressed optimism about the discussions, describing them as a critical step in addressing the challenges faced by the business.
“We held a successful meeting, and we also understand the challenges that the business is facing. Our main concern and responsibility is to engage and see if we can avert the situation by preventing job losses.
As you know, our main mandate is employment and ensuring that we preserve the jobs,” Meth said.
The minister reiterated the government’s mandate to preserve employment, and also outlined the collaborative approach being undertaken. – SAnews
EC unveils aviation school
The Eastern Cape government has unveiled a pioneering aviation school at the 43 Air School in Port Alfred, to equip learners with skills for South Africa’s growing economy.
This historic launch marks a significant milestone in the province’s education sector as it introduces the three-stream model pilot program.
The Eastern Cape Aviation School aims to establish a High School for Aerospace Science, a new public education model focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The initiative stems from a Memorandum of Understanding between 43 Air School and the Eastern Cape Department of Education. It will also see the introduction of aero-maritime studies at Port Alfred High School.
The provincial government has partnered with industry experts to provide focused learning in specialised occupational fields. The 43 Air School will also train pupils from underprivileged backgrounds. The annual school fees total approximately R1.4 million.
43 Air School chairperson Attie Niemann highlighted the school’s global reputation.
“We train airline pilots, engineers, and air traffic controllers, hosting students from over 50 nationalities. We are the preferred supplier for national airlines like Indigo in India and Vietnam Airlines, as well as for military pilot training. Currently, we have 350 students,” Niemann said. – Lehlohonolo Lehana/Fullview
Matric Results: Man Held
A 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the alleged leaking and selling of the 2024 matric results on the internet in a major breakthrough by the police in their investigations.
In a statement, Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale confirmed the arrest which he said marked a significant progress in their probe into the case.
The investigation followed a formal complaint by the Department of Education lodged at the Pretoria Central SAPS on January 12, prompting an immediate transfer of the case to the Hawks for further investigation.
Mogale said acting on a search-and-seizure warrant, the Hawks’ Serious Economic Offences Unit of the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, including Cybercrime Investigation Head Office, raided a house in Hillcrest, north of Johannesburg, in the early hours this week
“The Hawks proceeded to the identified premises where a 21-year-old young man and his parents are residing. During the search, various electronic gadgets and an unlicensed shotgun with live ammunition were found. The 21-year-old suspect will be detained for the unlawful possession of a firearm and further investigation into the matric result leakage will continue,” Mogale said. – SAnews.
