Johannesburg - The residents of Stjwetla informal settlement along the Jukskei River are picking up the pieces and rebuilding their homes after last week’s flash floods that washed away more than 40 shacks in the area.
On Tuesday afternoon, some community members could be seen picking up their muddy clothes along the river bank which still carried debris from shoes, groceries, beds and metal sheets.
Others were still mopping up their floors and repairing and rebuilding what was left of their shacks - with cardboard walls swollen and warped by the rainwater.
Scores of people along the Jukskei River banks lost their homes after being hit by the flash floods in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni last Wednesday.
The floods killed at least six people and causing extensive damage to homes, vehicles and infrastructure. Gauteng officials say over 4 900 people were affected by the floods.
Resident Richard Makondwa told SAnews that the floods have brought nothing but misery to the community.
“These were the worst floods - water reached roof levels on Wednesday night … people have lost everything,” Makondwa said.
He added that most of the residents, which are people from other countries, are worried about their ID documents and permits.
“You can buy food and clothes but you can’t buy documents.”
On Tuesday afternoon, President Jacob Zuma accompanied by Gauteng Premier David Makhura and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen inspected the area and homes that were washed away.
Three-year-old Everite
The delegation also visited the Chauke family whose three-year-old Everite is still missing after being washed away by the flood.
Everite’s father Shadrick and her mother Cynthia were in their shack when the deluge struck.
The Chauke family climbed a tree in an effort to seek shelter but their three-year-old slipped and fell into the Jukskei River when a branch broke.
Despite her father trying by all means to save the toddler’s life, she disappeared into the water. The emotional father relived the fateful incident to President Zuma.
The search for her has been ongoing since then and the parents are losing hope that she will not be found.
The father, who is originally from Mozambique, told the President that his only wish is that they find his daughter and that he be provided with immigration permits and a job so that he can support his family.
Speaking to the media after visiting the family in their temporary home - President Zuma said what happened to the Chauke family was very sad.
"We have conveyed our condolences to the Chauke family and we are aware that more people have been taken away by the flood here and in Ekhuruleni."
Government working on a permanent plan
President Zuma assured residents that government was already looking into relocating them to a safer place, while a permanent plan was being drawn up.
As such he pleaded with residents to cooperate, instead of protesting against the move when such a time comes.
“All spheres of government are working on different plans to assist all victims of floods not only in Sitjwetla… those that have been displaced are a priority.”
The President also advised residents to build their homes away from the river banks. He said the river would be looked at to make it safer and government would prioritise this as an emergency project.
Currently displaced residents are temporarily accommodated in local centres with government departments and agencies in partnership with humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers providing immediate assistance in the form of blankets and food parcels. - SAnews.gov.za
