Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by CJ Steyl
The DA has written to the Chairperson of the North West Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, requesting that she call a joint committee meeting with key portfolios. (See letter here)
This meeting would allow the MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi, the North West Provincial Disaster Management Centre, and the Departments of Public Works and Finance to brief the committee.
The purpose is to update the committee on the extent of government’s coordinated response to alleviate severe flood-affected communities throughout the province.
It would also help assess the extent of damage to critical infrastructure, along with the timelines and financial costs required to facilitate repairs and bring disaster relief.
This request follows a recent oversight visit to Khunotswane Village in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality. This community has suffered severe flooding, while the Khunotswane Primary School and local clinic remain inaccessible due to flooding. (See pictures here, here and here.)
The closure of the primary school for several weeks denies schoolchildren their right to education. We will engage the MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, on how the department will supplement learning for these affected schoolchildren.
During our oversight inspection, residents expressed their frustration with the slow response of government to bring relief. Pit latrines have overflowed, polluting stagnant water, and residents complain of diarrhoea and unbearable mosquito infestations.
The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality has dispatched a team to assist with draining the flooded areas, however, this effort seems ineffective since drainage pipes under the road appear to be higher than the level of the flooded areas. The teams also indicated that they were waiting for diesel to be delivered to operate a drainage pump to assist with their efforts. See pictures here and here and a video here.
The dug canals are also not clearly marked and closed off, posing a safety risk to residents, especially children.
It appears that the roads in the area were constructed higher than the natural gradient of the land, without any adequate storm drainage, which prevents the natural flow of rainwater. This seems to be the main cause of the flooding. To prevent future floods, additional drainage pipes and stormwater canals need to be constructed to improve the flow of water away from residential areas.
It is crucial that the committee receives a full and detailed briefing on government’s response to flood-affected communities to effectively monitor disaster relief efforts for residents in Khunotswane and all other communities affected throughout North West, from Matlosana to Moses Kotane.
The DA will closely monitor the provincial government’s disaster relief efforts to communities and the maintenance and repairs to critical infrastructure throughout the province.