LIMPOPO – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has approached Premier Chipu Matabatha to have the Vhembe area immediately declared a disaster area following heavy rains that reportedly destroyed several houses, roads and bridges.
The affected areas include Masisi , Thohoyandou, Madimbo, Tshilamba, Folovhodwe and other surrounding villages.
In a statement issued on Friday, 15 February, DA Limpopo Premier Candidate Jacques Smalle said the disaster has hampered the ability of residents to get to work and to school. “We believe the calamity could have been avoided had Premier Mathabatha prioritised service delivery and the maintenance of infrastructure like storm water drains,” Smalle says.
“We have written to Premier Mathabatha today to have Vhembe District declared a disaster area with immediate effect. Once declared a disaster, additional finances may be allocated to this area to provide emergency relief to the affected villages by upgrading some of the damaged infrastructure so that life can go back to normal.”
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The DA further urged Premier Mathabatha and his administration to engage all relevant stakeholders to craft an impactful strategy to bring relief to the residents of Vhembe and further dispatch a team to assess the damage.
