Flooding in the vlei puts people in danger

Imagine waking up in knee-deep water and having to cope with the possibility that the home you built for you and your family may wash away any day.

This is the reality for some of the residents from the lower part of the Video Informal Settlement.

Councillor Shenan Cochrane recently went with two members of the community, Skhumbuzo Zuma and Mackson Muvhulane, to hand over a list with the names of residents living in this part of the settlement to the Speaker of Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM), Jacqui Pannall.

The list is the first attempt from the community to motivate for assistance in being relocated to a safer place.

The problem, however, did not pop up over night but with the recent heavy rains it has come to a head. As Cochrane and the speaker explained, these residents were sold houses and stands way back in 2005. But these stands and houses are located below the flood line in a natural vlei where two spruits come together.

The question is, who sold the residents these stands and houses? Pannall said this will be for an investigation to determine and that her first priority is to save lives.

The list of names were officially handed over and will be given to the MCLM Housing Department as well as Disaster Management in order for them to be aware of the almost 200 people living in the vlei.

Cochrane explained that in the past it was dry and last season the water table did rise, but the informal community did not flood. The soil was, however, very damp and wet. Then storm drains were built under the road and while they are doing their job, they run into the two spruits.

This year the community had to endure knee-deep water already.

Pannall said that relocation does take time and if these families are moved, steps will have to be taken to close that area off and ensure that no more stands are sold and no new families move in.