Floods destroy property in Kaalfontein
MIDRAND – Heavy rains cause havoc for residents of Kaalfontein
“We sleep on our feet when it rains.” These were the words of Victoria Bodigelo, a terrified and frustrated resident of Platy Street in Kaalfontein who has been a victim of the recent floods.
The rains have left Bodigelo and her neighbours in the cold due to flooding that occurs in their yards during heavy rain. The mother of three said rain is meant to be a blessing but to them, it has been a curse that has given her and her family sleepless nights. “We sleep on our feet when it rains because water gets into the house and we’re scared of going to bed,” she said.
Seemingly, the drainage system that is meant to carry the rain water into the main drainage system is nonfunctional and, as a result, streets get flooded and water gets into their yards.
“I have been living here for 20 years and each year we experience the same problem. A couple of years ago, the former councillor arranged for a pipe to be constructed at the end of the street to carry the water into the river, but someone decided to construct a dumping site there and the current councillor won’t assist us,” she said.
Read City of Joburg warns of flash floods
Bodigelo and her neighbours have built makeshift obstructions at their gates and doors to prevent the water from coming into their houses. However, due to the recent heavy rains, the walls have collapsed. Her neighbour, Wilson Monthata, who rents out rooms on his property, has lost two tenants because of the flooding.
“I had to refund them because their rooms are full of water and their furniture is destroyed. This is how I make a leaving and I have already lost an income of R1 400 a month. I’m afraid I might lose more if the rain continues,” he said.
Flooding has not only destroyed residents’ properties, it also poses a danger to schoolchildren. “A child almost drowned yesterday [2 March] and luckily I held her hand before she got swept away by the water,” added Bodigelo.
When Midrand Reporter called, Ward 92 councillor Leepile Motsomi, his phone rang unanswered. A text message was also sent, however, he had not responded by the time of publication.
DA public relations councillor for Ward 92, Julie Suddaby said she receives requests for help all the time because Motsomi is not easy to reach. “It is a tragic situation that some of the poorest residents in Midrand cannot access their ward councillor, who seems to be missing in action,” she said.
