Zuma visits disaster area
ALEXANDRA – President Jacob Zuma paid the residents of Setjwetla Informal Settlement a visit following the horrific flash floods.
The people of the Setswetla informal settlement in Alexandra were paid a visit by President Jacob Zuma and the Premier of Gauteng, David Makhura on 15 November following the horrific flash flood that ravaged the area, affecting 4 900 residents.
With the help of Gift of the Givers, who secured the area for the President’s visit, the residents of the informal settlement waited in anticipation for government’s word on what will be done to move forward.
Read: Claim for flood damage
Journalists from various media houses were on the scene along the Jukskei River where shacks had been swept away and people’s lives destroyed, capturing images of torn mattresses, twisted metal and damaged electronics scattered across the devastated sections of the settlement.
Local resident, Vuyani Rani said that many people living in the township did not expect the flash floods to cause so much damage. He added that many had started rebuilding their homes by collecting any material they can find to create sufficient shelter. When asked about President Jacob Zuma’s visit Rani said, “I hope they can give us some help to rebuild or help to find better homes.”
As he arrived, the President was greeted with cheers from the residents. His first meeting was with Shadrick Chauke who, along with wife, is pleading with local authorities to help find their daughter Everite who went missing after the flood on 9 November.
In his speech, Zuma expressed his condolences to Chauke and other residents who were affected by the flood. He said that the Gauteng government, with his and Premier David Makhura’s support, will begin by helping all those affected to rebuild their damaged homes or help them relocate so as not to be affected by future disasters.
