While the SAPS Search and Rescue team is still searching for a fifth person who went missing after their vehicle was submerged by floods, help has been streaming in to assist flood-stricken communities in the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape.
WHILE the SAPS Search and Rescue team is still searching for a fifth person who went missing after their vehicle was submerged by floods, help has been streaming in to assist flood-stricken communities in the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape.
A special council meeting was held on Monday to declare the Namakwa District a state of disaster after five people drowned and 10,000 people were left stranded by floods in Kamiesberg, Nama Khoi, Richtersveld, Kommagas, Kleinzee, Buffelsrivier, Rooiwal and Vioolsdrift.
Heavy rains destroyed roads, bridges and infrastructure.
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said the bodies of four unidentified men were retrieved following the floods on June 28, while the Nababeep police were still searching for a missing person in the Skaap and Buffelsrivier area.
Sergeant Timothy Sam stated that the Komaggas police station received a report of a possible drowning, where a tractor driver from Buffelsrivier farm went missing after he was hit by a floating tree log.
“The Schaap River that crosses the R355 road eroded and split the road in two around the Buffels River farm. A vehicle, in which six people were reported to be travelling, was swept away. Two persons were rescued, one person was isolated on an island that is not reachable at this stage and three were reported as missing,” Sam added.
Anyone with information that can assist the police is requested to contact Detective Sergeant Fortuin of the Nababeep Detectives on 082 495 5305
Meanwhile, Gift of the Givers operations manager Ali Sablay said that the Karoo Hoogland Municipality had requested assistance for communities in Calvinia, Nieuwoudtville, Middelpos and Sutherland.
“Prior to the floods, communities in Namaqualand experienced several years of drought, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of animals, crippling farmers with massive job losses of farm labourers and having a devastating effect on local economies,” said Sablay.
“Humanitarian assistance was provided, where the Northern Cape provincial government assisted with the provision of helicopters while the South African National Defence Force delivered aid to impassable areas.
“Our vehicles (Gift of the Givers) transporting blankets, new clothing, food, porridge, peanut paste, hygiene packs and bottled water are en route from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Springbok – which will be used as our operational centre.”
FF+ Hantam councillor Jan Palm said that it would cost millions of rand to repair damaged roads in Calvinia, Loeriesfontein, Middelpos and Nieuwoudtville.
“The poor state of gravel roads in these areas was brought under the attention of the Namakwa Municipality by organised agricultural unions and the FF+. The floods has resulted in further deterioration. These dilapidated roads that are used to transport agricultural produce are causing drastic economic losses.”
Palm added that a Fidelity security vehicle almost plunged into the Renoster River as the warning signs on the road were washed away.
“Luckily all occupants were rescued.”
FF+ Nama Khoi councillor James Otto indicated that towns such as Kleinzee and Vioolsdrift were rendered inaccessible due to the flooding.
“De Beers dug alternative access roads while farmers jumped in to repair a section of the N7 road. A large trading company, civil organisations and local, provincial and national authorities offered emergency relief, food and water provisions,” said Otto.
