Govan Mbeki Municipality allocates R5m Disaster Fund for flood-affected areas

The Govan Mbeki Municipality has allocated R5m from the National Treasury disaster relief fund to address recurring flooding in parts of eMbalenhle.

Presenting the report during a council meeting held on March 25, Executive Mayor Nhlakanipho Zuma stated that the municipality, as custodian of the disaster fund, will prioritise intervention in the most severely affected areas.

These include Ward 12, formerly known as Chris Hani, Ext 16 in Ward 20, and Vincent Shabalala Street in Trichardt.

“We will try to reach all the affected areas, though we are limited in terms of budget. As the custodian of the report, I do not agree with some of the recommendations,” said Zuma.

The municipality, in collaboration with Sasol, conducted a site visit in March last year to Ward 12 in eMbalenhle to assess damage caused by heavy rainfall and its impact on local communities.

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Following a thorough inspection, both parties held an on-site briefing to coordinate efforts to assist affected residents.

The assessment confirmed significant damage, with contributing factors including a lack of community awareness regarding the importance of keeping stormwater drainage systems clear, as well as the occupation of land designated for water channels and wetlands.

Despite these challenges, both the municipality and Sasol committed to taking immediate responsibility by implementing short-term solutions to address stormwater issues.

In addition, plans are underway to introduce long-term awareness programmes to educate communities and help prevent future flooding.