City to uncover if storm damage is a national disaster
Some of the damage that was caused by the storm.
A new year, a time for resolutions for most, a new grade for children, a new chapter for matriculants.
A time that resonates hope for all being the beginning of the year. However, Gauteng residents had a very rocky start to the new year.
Residents from Tshepisong, Thembelihle, Alexandra, Marie Louise, Braamfischerville and Protea Glen Extensions are not sure how their year is going to start after the storm that damaged hundreds of homes.
The roofs of homes were blown away, trees were uprooted and even vehicles were damaged especially in Protea Glen.
The City of Joburg has responded by working closely with several non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) and other stakeholders who are helping the City’s Disaster Management and provide charitable aid to the destitute residents of the city when called upon.
Residents of Protea Glen are disgruntled by the disaster that has struck the township. Recently the Social Development’s Food Bank was refused entry to Protea Glen to handover disaster relief materials including food to families that were affected by the storm.
It has also come as a shock that assessors from the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) were disturbed and threatened while trying to assess the affected houses.
The executive Mayor Herman Mashaba responded by wanting an investigation into the contractors involved in building some of the houses damaged during the storm and deliver a preliminary report on Friday.
“Following my inspection of the damage caused by the storm, it is clear that due to the extent of the damage caused, the city cannot hope to address the needs of all those affected alone.
That is why a multi-organisational approach was necessary to address this latest challenge. The following interventions have been put in place to provide relief to residents:
The City’s Group Risk Advisory Services will continue to conduct a full risk assessment of the damage caused by the storm and a preliminary report is expected to be released by Friday.
The report will table the full extent of the damage caused by the storm and whether the event needs to be declared a provincial or national disaster,” said Mayor Mashaba.
An assessment is still being conducted of exactly how many homes have been affected by the storm.
The city has prioritized the residents who are affected by providing them with the necessary relief immediately.
The Mayor highlighted how there are charges that most houses in Protea Glen were destroyed as a result of poor workmanship and thus that needs to be addressed.
“The province has committed to providing available temporary accommodation, emergency tents, and mattresses for those displaced by the storm through their Housing Department.
Adding to this, the city has also committed to making community centres available for the purpose of providing temporary relief to those in need of emergency shelter.
Further, SASSA and the Provincial Department of Social Development have also agreed to assist with the provision of food parcels to those displaced,” said Mayor Mashaba.
The report to be released should have the full details of the damage and will also determine whether the damage due to the storm will be declared a national or provincial disaster.
“I would like to thank all the role players involved in assisting our residents, especially provincial government and our emergency services personnel for their continued support and vigilance,” said Mayor Mashaba.
