The Friday heavy rains caused flooding and devastation in Pretoria Mamelodi affecting mostly the community of Eerste Fabrieke where families lost their valuables and some lost their homes.
According to Mr Walter Mokgalaka, a community member, the community believes that the damage was caused by the municipality’s opening of the Vaal Dam, which allows the water to flow to the Moretele River, located near Eerste Fabrieke.
He said the community is going to need much-needed help after losing their belongings and having no food. The councilor in the area, Ms Joyce Seelane, arranged accommodation at the community hall for some of the community members who were left stranded by the floods.
Kagiso Molefe, who also spoke on behalf of the community, said children will be most affected as they have lost their books, stationery, and uniforms.
“The community is traumatized because in 2019 they were hit by the floods and the then councilor, Mr Percy Zitha, promised to relocate them because the area is not safe, but that never happened.
“The community was even willing to use their resources to build their houses if the government-sponsored RDP houses delayed,” said Mr Mokgalaka.
