Water Resources Planning and Engineering consultant Osborne Gwamanda of Mandeni writes:
Based on scientific data and evidence, scientists – from meteorologists, hydrologists to agriculturalists – have long warned government about the inevitable dangers of climate change and floods.
As far back as 2016 I have drafted and submitted detailed technical proposals to the powers that be in an effort to bring about awareness regarding the danger to infrastructure and livelihoods brought on by floodwaters.
I am therefore perplexed at the decision taken by the then newly-appointed eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda’s administration to disband the eThekwini City Planning Commission, of which I was a member.
The strategic objective of this commission was to guide the executive committee, council and administration on strategies to address infrastructure backlogs in relation to human settlements, water, sanitation, electricity, roads, storm water systems and flooding, among others.
For how long are we going to allow these catastrophic flash floods, particularly in KZN, to cause destruction to our homes, infrastructure and businesses and take away the lives of hundreds of our citizens?
For how long are we prepared to expect our inadequate, dilapidated and poorly maintained storm water drainage systems to cater for the ever increasing volumes of water in our towns and cities?
Why do we act surprised when our people’s houses that are inappropriately built on floodplains are washed away year after year?
Disbanding a strategic panel constituted of experts from across a wide range of disciplines, whose primary aim was to assist the city in the strategic planning of critical matters that affect over five million people, simply doesn’t make sense.
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