Citrusdal informal settlement residents want to be moved to land less prone to flooding
Since the Western Cape's inclement weather, at least 24 people, including young children, have been evacuated from their flooded homes built near the Olifants River.
Heavy rain in Citrusdal on 9 July 2024 caused the Olifants River to rise and flood parts of the town. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/EWN
CAPE TOWN - Some residents of Riverview informal settlement in Citrusdal want the government to move them to a land less prone to being waterlogged.
At least 24 people, including young children, have been evacuated from their flooded homes built near the Olifants River.
They're currently housed at a local community centre, and more evacuations are expected as the second cold front approaches.
READ: Cederberg mayor says officials on high alert as cold front with heavy rains approaches WC
Resident Masibulele Skhephe said this was the second time they'd had to leave their homes due to floods in a space of two months.
"On the first week of May, we were here because of the same thing that happened two days ago. On that day I was sleeping and it was raining. Later on we found that there's water coming from the river, passed my house and into my neighbour's homes. Even now the reason we're here it's because of the same thing."
Cederberg Local Municipality Mayor Ruben Richards said there was a plan and a budget to build houses.
However, he said it was not as easy as it seems.
"The housing crisis in South Africa, particularly for informal settlements is huge. Providing houses is the easy part of it, it is creating the economic engine that sustains the ability for people to afford the houses. In other words job creation."