Swartland Municipality concerned heavy rains could impede service delivery
There is currently no water and electricity supply for the people of Riverlands.
The aftermath of flooding in Riverlands, near Malmesbury in the Western Cape, after three dam retention walls collapsed on 8 August 2024. Picture: Melikhaya Zagagana/EWN
CAPE TOWN - The Swartland Municipality says the heavy rains in Riverlands Chatsworth, outside Malmesbury, could affect service delivery.
This comes after three retention dams burst and flooded over 50 homes, leaving over 220 people without shelter.
Authorities are still investigating what led to the incident.
There is currently no water and electricity supply for the people of Riverlands.
The Swartland Municipality said it's working hard to restore water supply as residents depend on humanitarian organisations to get water.
READ: Wet, windy conditions expected to continue throughout long weekend in WC
According to the municipal spokesperson, Heinrich Robertson, efforts to restore the delivery of services are being delayed by rain.
"You can say that our operations are being hampered, but it is continuing. Unfortunately, now to clear the blockages of streets which will allow the community members to move or to take vehicles to go and get groceries, that is being hampered. Some of the streets will remain closed until the weather subsides," said Robertson.
Meanwhile, the SA Weather Services has warned of more heavy rains that could run into the weekend for the area.
DISGRUNTLED RESIDENTS SPEAK OUT
Some residents said the damage could have been prevented.
According to them, authorities knew about the risk of the heavy rains that battered parts of the province.
Affected residents expressed unhappiness about the pace at which authorities are trying to address their issues.
This is what some of the affected residents told Eyewitness News.
"Each of us we only get a blanket it’s all, one blanket," said one resident.
Added another destitute resident: "They knew about it a few years back, my house is flooded I have nowhere to sleep, I have no clothes, I have nothing."
“We got a message last night to say we must hurry up about two o'clock and go to the shelter because the fourth dam is now leaking water slowly, slowly, slowly," said an anxious resident.