The MEC for Department of CoGHSTA, Clifford Motsepe would like to warn the people who are residing within the banks of the Limpopo River to be on the lookout for crocodiles and report to the nearest police station or to the Disaster management center toll free line on 0800222111.
This warning follows reports that thousands of crocodiles escaped from the Rakwena Crocodile Farm into the northern parts of Limpopo River during flooding in the past week. A few thousands crocodiles have been recaptured in the dense bush next to the river and in the adjacent areas. Due to mud slides experience after the water level have subsided these crocodiles would camouflage in the mud and are therefore conspicuous during the night because of their red lit eyes.
2013 Limpopo preliminary flood statistics are as follows:
- More than 12 role-players in the Joint Operations Committee (JOC)
- More than 4 NGOs involved
- More than 200 officials from different sectors involved
- 12 deaths recorded
- 2 missing
- 4 rescue choppers
- 877 trapped and rescued
- 19 schools affected
- More than 42 bridges damaged
- More than 1125 households/families affected
- More than 14 roads eroded
- More than 100 villages affected
- More than 22 house collapsed
- More than 240 food parcels and hygiene packs.
Disaster Management is everybody's business. In case of any Disaster, members of the public should report incidents to their district offices or Provincial Disaster Management Centre on the toll free number 0800 222 111.
For missing persons during disaster, members of the public should report the incident to their nearest police stations.
For more information contact:
Ms Dieketseng Diale
Cell: 083 652 5276"
Tel: 015 294 5582
E-mail: mediaenquiry@limdlgh.gov.za
