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6 000 people affected by Western Cape storms

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 People fetching their belongings from their waterlogged homes at an Informal Settlement in Bloekombos , Kraaifontein.
People fetching their belongings from their waterlogged homes at an Informal Settlement in Bloekombos , Kraaifontein.
(Photo by Gallo Images/Brenton Geach)

  • 6 000 people have been affected by the severe storm that lashed the Western Cape last week. 
  • Unlawful occupation of land has been blamed for the disruption of storm water systems in the Cape metro. 
  • Sassa is providing support for affected residents.

The Western Cape government estimates that 6 000 people have been affected by last week's storms. 

Mopping up operations continue after a massive storm wreaked havoc.  

Anton Bredell, Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC, said there had been no reports of casualties or any missing or injured persons.

"The greatest challenges were experienced in the City of Cape Town with many low-lying areas that experienced localised flooding. The City estimates the total number of affected persons at 6 000." 

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) was providing meals to those affected, Bredell said. 

READ | Another cold front hits Cape Town, prompts further fears of flooding in low-lying areas

He said the disruption of stormwater and flood management resulted from unlawful land occupation across the city. 

"This resulted in flooding not only of the invaded areas (often inside stormwater infrastructure such as ponds) but also of adjacent roads and formal suburbs."

He said the City continued to clear stormwater and drainage systems to alleviate flooding. 

"Damage to both City and Eskom electrical infrastructure due to vandalism and illegal connections have resulted in wastewater pump stations in many areas being affected, which may slow down operations."  

Bredell said no major incidents were reported for the Garden Route District and the Central Karoo District.

The West Coast District continued to do damage assessments, with some localised flooding in Matzikama and road damage to Neweplass near Wupperthal, Bredell said. 

A full assessment would be provided on Monday.

In the Overberg District, the Theewaterskloof municipality in Grabouw, some roads were damaged, while in the Cape Winelands District, flooding was reported in Kylemore in Stellenbosch.    

"No new weather warnings for rainfall or wind has been issued for the next few days, but we want to urge continued caution over the next few days when travelling around the province while mopping up operations continue," said Bredell.

He said while no rain or wind was forecast for the next few days, the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre remains on standby.

Emergency numbers that people in the Western Cape can contact:

·         City of Cape Town - 107 or 021 480 7700 and 080 911 4357

·         Overberg - 028 425 1690

·         West Coast - 022 433 8700

·         Garden Route - 044 805 5071

·         Central Karoo – 023 449 8000

·         Cape Winelands – 021 886 9244 / 021 887 4446

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