Flood victims fled their homes for safety.
Residents said it was a drill to look after one another and move valuable things out of their shacks, especially for those who living next to the river banks.
Following heavy and persistent rain in the greater Tshwane area this week, previously affected flood victims in Mamelodi started fleeing their homes for safety in fear of another disaster.
According to residents of Nellmapius and the far east of Mamelodi, they evacuated the area to ensure their own safety and to protect potential flood damage to their belongings, especially those living next to the riverbanks.
A community representative, December Matlala, said fear was building as a lot of shacks were already flooded. According to him the ongoing predictions of showers and thunderstorms continued to spark fear among the residents.
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“At the moment nothing serious has been reported, but the situation is very tense and we are concerned about everyone’s safety,” said Matlala.
“The government and Tshwane metro have kept quiet, and residents have lost hope about getting help moving to a safer place. We are tired of empty promises. MEC’s for human settlement come and go. All of them made the same promise to relocate us but none of them have delivered on their promises.”
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Matlala said the community has become used to living in fear when it starts raining.
“When its start to rain, we all run for safety and when it’s safe we go back,” he said.
Another resident, Kedibone Mphela, said they were told about upcoming heavy rains and did not waste time, especially those residing next to the flood lines and river banks.
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“We are unable to sleep at night with heavy rains and we must always think safety first and continuously check on everyone,” said Mphela.
She added heavy rains bring back bad memories and empty promises by the government.
“It is almost two years now since the government promised to move everyone to a safer place,” she said.
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