The Limpopo Provincial Disaster Management Centre has received preliminary assessment reports of strong winds and heavy rains in the four District Municipalities of Capricorn, Mopani, Sekhukhune and Vhembe. This is due to incidents that occurred on the nights of 30 and 31 October 2013.
In Mopani District 134 families were affected in sixteen villages of Greater Giyani and Greater Tzaneen combined. There were eight villages (Guwela, Gawula, Vuhehli, Xitlakati, Matsotsosela, Khashani, Mbawula and Phalaubeni) affected in Greater Giyani alone while eight villages were affected in Greater Tzaneen. The villages affected in Greater Tzaneen are Mawa Block 8, Lekgwareng, Mokhwathi, Mandhlakazi, Mariveni and Leretseng. To date five tents and eight food parcels were provided to affected families at Guwela village.
Vhembe District recorded 458 household affected in Makhado, Mutale and Thulamela by the recent strong winds and heavy rain. The Capricorn District has reported 40 households, three schools and a nurses’ home were affected in the Blouberg local municipality.
Sekhukhune District has 293 affected households that occurred in Makhuduthamaga, Fetakgomo, Greater Tubatse and Elias Motsoaledi municipalities. Fetakgomo has provided four emergency tents and mattresses to affected families, while Makhuduthamaga has provided one tent, three temporary shelters, fourteen blankets and sponges to all affected villages within its locality.
The department would like to put it on record that this statement is issued based on the preliminary reports received. Some affected households have recovered from these incidents. All affected districts are working around the clock to ensure that final reports are submitted to CoGHSTA via the Provincial Disaster Management Centre for consolidation for submission to MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe. As per Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002, municipalities are required to report any incident that occurs in their area to the Provincial Disaster Management Centre
The MEC for CoGHSTA, Mr Ishmael Kgetjepe calls on members of the community to be vigilant and contact the Provincial Disaster Management Centre on this toll free number 0800 222 111 to report incidents of disaster. Kgetjepe encourages parents and guardians to warn children not to cross or play near rivers for their safety. Disaster management is everybody’s business.
For more information:
Motupa Selomo, Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 082 717 0342
E-mail: selomome@coghsta.limpopo.gov.za
