By More Matshediso
Pretoria – The North West provincial government has opened a bank account in which donations can be made to help rebuild destroyed houses and public buildings in the province.
The North West Disaster Relief Fund -- account number 6248 7927 603 -- has been opened at First National Bank, and will be managed by the Provincial Department of Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development.
North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo on Wednesday called on South Africans and interested organisations to help out by donating to the account.
He said the donations will help deliver aid in most affected areas.
“As government, we remain highly committed to help rebuild the destroyed houses, repair the affected public buildings, and restore calm - particularly in Khuma location and Stilfontein, where more than 600 families have been affected by this occurrence,” said Premier Mahumapelo.
Hundreds of houses and public buildings were affected by earth tremor that hit parts of South Africa on Tuesday. One man was killed in the Orkney mining area after a wall collapsed.
Premier Mahumapelo also said a call centre will be set up to coordinate information about the aftermath of the earth tremor.
The Premier is expecting a report from a team of engineers by the end of next week. The report will be sent to the National Disaster Management Centre.
The team has already started assessing the structural defects of all households, and public buildings including schools, clinics and state offices.
The assessment will help to paint a clear picture of the financial implications of the damage caused by the tremor.
“It is this assessment report that will direct government on which areas to urgently concentrate on,” Premier Mahumapelo said.
Premier Mahumapelo visited Vuyani Mawethu Secondary School in Khuma, which has sustained extensive structural damages.
He told a media briefing that the Department of Education and Sport Management has since identified other classes within the affected schools, which can be utilised until the situation is normalised.
Other highly affected schools are Borakanelo High and Straatvaal Primary.
Affected health facilities
The Premier said a contingency plan has been developed to ensure that health services to the community are not compromised.
He said patients will be ferried to other operating facilities when there is a need.
Premier Mahumapelo also confirmed that temporary accommodation, counselling and social relief of distress are being provided to the affected community members.
“A Joint Operation Centre has been established and will remain operational until all activities have been concluded,” he said.
Park Street Clinic in town is damaged and will be indefinitely closed, while Stilfontein Clinic will also remain indefinitely closed for repairs, since its ceilings and floors have been badly damaged.
Other facilities, including Botshabelo Community Health centre, Umuzi Clinic and Grace Mokhomo Community Health Centre, were also affected but will be operational.
Lecture rooms, students’ residence and lecturers’ offices at Excelsius Nursing College are inhabitable, and all have been moved to the Emergency Medical Service College in Orkney. - SAnews.gov.za
