Pretoria - The North West government has started relocating 16 families from the wetland in Monotomosetlha informal settlement near Coligny.
Though the delayed relocation had caused some residents to blockade the N14 in protest on Friday, the North West government said it expected things to proceed smoothly after residents were assured that a farm, bought by the Department of Human Settlements for a housing development project, is still available.
“Residents of Tlhabologang township felt that the new arrivals, some of whom [have spent] less than a month in the area, were jumping the housing queue.
“They calmed down and dispersed after the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono, and the mayor of Ditsobotla, Lesego Holele, explained to them that the relocation is part of relief efforts to ensure that all families who are affected by floods are assisted, and that those who are displaced and temporarily accommodated at churches are relocated to a habitable area,” said spokesperson in the office of the premier, Moses Kgwele.
Premier Thandi Modise has urged municipalities to alert the Provincial Disaster Management Centre of all flooding incidents to ensure that relief efforts and support reach those in need quicker.
“Communication and proactive engagement among role players is key to mobilise capacity and support to manage all disaster incidents,” she said.
An inter-governmental task team is doing a door-to-door impact assessment and distributing food parcels, tents and processing of social relief of distress grants to those affected by the floods. – SAnews.gov.za
