KANYAMAZANE – Unmaintained drainage systems resulted in storm water flooding houses at Section 1, Mahhala, causing serious damages.
Last Wednesday night volumes of water flooded the homes.
Brick walls were also destroyed by the water. Ms Margaret Ndlovu, a nurse at Matsulu Clinic, was informed of the flooding by neighbours.
“I couldn’t believe what I saw, when arriving here, my premises was surrounded with water everywhere, almost up to the knees. About 15 people including my children and neighbours were busy throwing buckets of water outside the house,” she said.
When this journalist visited on Friday, Ndlovu and her children were still cleaning the area. Wet beds were strewn over the yard, and blankets and laundry were on the floor.
“Eskom helped us switch the lights on again, so the fridge is working. Blankets and beds are still wet, we are waiting for the sun to dry them. We spent the previous two nights at neighbours’ homes,” said Ndlovu.
According to her and the neighbours, the problem emanates from the unmaintained waterways and blocked drainage systems which are supposed to carry the flow of water from the mountains.
Residents claim they have pleaded with City of Mbombela Local Municipality about the situation numerous times, but to no avail.
“I have been here since 1995 and have a storm-water drain in my yard which is blocked,” said Ms Doreen Maphanga.
“I recently made a request for it to be unblocked, with no response until the storm struck last Wednesday,” she said.
The residents also want the municipality to repair open storm-water drains as they pose a threat to the elderly and children.
The municipality’s disaster-management team visited Ndlovu’s home on Friday and presented her with three new mattresses and four blankets.
A media enquiry was sent to Mr Joseph Ngala, spokesperson for City of Mbombela on Monday. No response had been received by the time of going to press.
Also read: Storm affects Kanyamazane homes
Also read: Two boys drown after a severe stormResidents want government to fix existing infrastructure
