Knysna residents from Khayalethu, Dam Se Bos and Nekkies informal settlements were left mopping up after a torrential downpour at the weekend flooded their homes and damaged their possessions.
Knysna community activist Thembinkosi Khuse said the incident came after a decade of complaints from residents to the Knysna municipality about the prevalence of flooding in the affected areas.
“Every year during winter or in spring, the community gets affected by heavy rains, since there is an influx of shacks in the area and also RDP houses built in poor conditions, the entire community gets affected by these floods,” he said.
“As community leaders it then becomes our duty to find humanitarians to assist us because often we do not receive feedback from the municipality when we inform them about such issues.”
Among the affected residents is Ntombomzi Hashe, 42, who stays in a shack with her husband, two children and grandchild.
They lost all their groceries, fridge as well as clothing and blankets.
Another community member, Nophumzile Mbangi from Ward 7, said this was the second time her home was flooded.
“The last time I lost all my appliances and furniture, the municipality promised to demolish this house and start building it again, however, they never include the plan to build the house in the budget,” she said.
“This always happens when it is raining. I even sent my child to the Eastern Cape because the child kept on getting skin infections from the sewage water.”
Knysna municipal spokesperson Nwabisa Pondoyi said in line with the municipality’s winter readiness plan, provisions had been made to assist all affected residents following site assessments and based on specific needs.
“Once assessments are conducted, appropriate support is provided, including the distribution of sheeting and/or sandbags to mitigate further impact.”
Pondoyi said it was important to note that assistance was not extended to illegal or unauthorised structures.
“Seven structures in the Nekkies area have been reported as affected.
“In response, a community hall has been opened to provide temporary shelter, and the department of social development is on standby to offer further support where required.”
She said as part of ongoing winter preparedness efforts, drains and stormwater channels would continue to be cleared to improve water flow and prevent future flooding.
The municipality urged affected residents to contact the emergency services at 044-302-8911 or WhatsApp 060-998-6969 to report any flood-related matters or emergencies.
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.