Hill-Lewis says there’s a need for formal housing to protect CT residents from flooding
The mayor of Cape Town was speaking in Khayelitsha, where people have lost their structures because of the recent heavy rains and strong winds in the city.
FILE: Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. Picture: Supplied
CAPE TOWN - Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said there is a need for formal houses to protect residents from widespread flooding.
He was speaking in Khayelitsha on Thursday, where people have lost their structures because of the recent heavy rains and strong winds in the city.
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Many informal settlements in Khayelitsha have over the years been prone to weather disasters, with the city being criticised for not doing enough to protect residents there.
Hill-Lewis said they would start identifying places that are susceptible to flooding.
"What we will do now in the next few weeks is to go and see what are those areas that we did not expect flooding where it did flood, what are the reasons for that, [and] how do we work now in the coming summer to try and alleviate that."
Humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers said it would continue to assist the flood victims.
The organisation has been working in Khayelitsha since last week to help affected people with basic supplies, including toiletries, food and blankets.
“For the past 15 years working in this area, you can see year after year it’s the same kind of disaster. There should be a state of readiness, especially during flooding,” said Gift of the Givers' Ali Sablay.
“When it comes to flooding, it’s impossible for these people to be in that kind of situation they are [in]. The implementation [of a plan] has to be where there’s a readiness of supply, of goods, and of relocation.”