245 Hammanskraal families affected by heavy rains
"The families were assisted by Tuesday (January 4) with social relief."
Tshwane metro was among the entities that assisted more than 200 Hammanskraal families hit by floods in late December.
The families received social relief from the metro, South African Social Security Agency and the national Department of Social Development on Tuesday, January 4.
According to a report, ward 49 residents had been affected by flooding on December 27, 2021 following incessant rainfall and 245 families were affected.
Tshwane metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba said the department immediately dispatched a team to assess the situation in the area and began social relief distribution consisting of food parcels, blankets and mattresses to the affected families.
“On 29 December 2021, community and social services MMC, Peggy de Bruin, accompanied by the MMC for human settlements, Abel Tau, and departmental senior officials, visited the flood-hit area to assess the damage and held discussions with the affected families, ward councillors and community leaders.
“The department facilitated the relocation process to the Sebothoma hall, however, only two families in ward 49 were prepared to sleep at that facility.”
Bokaba said a sizeable number of households in wards 74 and 76 received social relief and when more distressed families came forward seeking help, the CSSD engaged Sassa.
“Sassa and the metro agreed to split the beneficiaries 50% each as numbers began to increase exponentially.
“The metro’s social services department entered into a partnership with the national department to continue with the distribution of food parcels while the metro took care of the distribution of blankets and mattresses, where necessary.”
MMC De Bruin expressed delight at the swift reaction of her department to the crisis that unfolded in Hammanskraal.
“We will regularly continue to monitor the situation and make necessary interventions where possible, together with our partners at national level,” De Bruin said.
Bokaba said the metro together with its partners, would continue the distribution of social relief as and when more families came forward.
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