WeeklySA_AdminMOP-UP: The provincial government intensifies relief and recovery operations in flood-hit communities amid widespread damage totalling R3.5 billion and 1 800 affected homes and 81 schools…
By WSAM Reporter
The Mpumalanga Provincial Government has accelerated its emergency response and recovery operations across flood-stricken areas as communities reel from the impact of heavy rains that have claimed 20 lives and caused extensive destruction to homes, schools and key infrastructure.
Authorities confirmed that more than 1 800 houses, 81 schools, several public facilities, as well as multiple roads and bridges were damaged in areas within the Nkomazi, Bushbuckridge and City of Mbombela Local Municipalities. The scale of devastation has prompted the provincial Executive Council (EXCO) to express deep concern as teams move to restore essential services and stabilise affected communities.
The province estimates the cost of repairing damaged infrastructure to be above R3.5 billion, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated interventions and support as the clean-up and rebuilding process begins.
In response, provincial disaster management structures have been activated to ensure the rapid delivery of humanitarian relief to families displaced or impacted by the floods. Relief distribution is being carried out in partnership with Gift of the Givers and the Red Cross, targeting immediate needs such as basic supplies and support services.
The provincial government said the recent national classification of the incident as a disaster is expected to strengthen and speed up relief efforts, creating space for a more comprehensive response aimed at restoring the dignity and livelihoods of affected residents.
Premier Mandla Ndlovu has further called for a review of Mpumalanga’s climate change strategy, stressing that the province must improve both preventative and reactive measures in the face of increasingly frequent and severe weather-related disasters.
Kruger National Park
Briefing the media yesterday, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Willie Aucamp said last week’s persistent heavy rainfall across Limpopo and Mpumalanga caused river levels to rise significantly, with overflows reported in the Crocodile, Sabie, Letaba, Sand, Luvuvhu and Limpopo rivers.
“In the Kruger National Park alone, the damage to critical infrastructure is so widespread that SANParks is estimating that the damage possibly runs into hundreds of millions. Despite this devastation to infrastructure and operations, the most important highlight is that no lives were lost,” the Minister said.
The Minister indicated that substantial financing is required to rebuild the damaged infrastructure that includes tourism facilities, bridges, roads as well as water and electrical systems and services.
Limpopo
In Limpopo, several houses have been left damaged at several villages outside Thohoyandou in following the recent floods, according a SABC report.
Some residents at Mpandoni, Duvhuledza and Mubvumoni say their houses are no longer safe to stay in due to structural damage.
Persistent rainfall has left schools, roads and houses damaged in the Mopani and Vhembe districts.
Residents, Nndavheleseni Tshavhungwe and George Ratshihule are appealing for government assistance.
“I need help, I can’t work anymore. The house which collapsed was being used by my sons, who are still at school. They no longer have a place to say. The situation is very bad, and we are not happy at all because it is affecting us as a family, we are just hoping that we can get help of something like a house, so that we can have a place to stay, situation is very bad,” say the residents.
Similarly, a community leader at Duvhuledza Village outside Thohoyandou is appealing to the government to build houses for the flood victims.
Several houses were damaged following recent floods, while some have collapsed.
Community leader Obert Nekhumbe says most of the people who have been affected are now destitute.
Nekhumbe says they are in a very severe condition, saying people are no longer safe.
“They are still sleeping there because there’s nothing we can do at the moment because of the rain. Their houses are damaged; the roads are not well-equipped. So, we are saying to our government, we are not safe at all. If they can assist, especially in terms of reconstructing the houses, also the road, also the food, some of them are not working as you can see,” adds Nekhumbe. – Additional reporting by SABC
