Authorities are calling for assistance from Good Samaritans, willing to support flood affected families.
This is while authorities are still to confirm the exact numbers of households and infrastructure damaged by Tuesday’s storm.
The pictures of Mama Nodayepi Mpako’s household in Bhungu Village, Ward 27, were circulated largely on social media platforms, after the storm.
But the Nyandeni Local Municipality clarified on Wednesday, that her rondavel and flat were damaged by previous storms.
“No one currently occupies the rondavel. The family lives in a separate three-roomed flat on the property. The household is situated in a low-lying area where water accumulates during heavy rainfall, leaving it particularly vulnerable to flooding” said the Municipality.
Low-lying areas in Wards 27, 16, 13, 24 and 6, were worst affected, so were bridges in the area.
The O.R. Tambo District Municipality’s Disaster Management officials are out assessing the damage.
The Municipality urged everyone sharing images and information to do so with compassion, respect for affected families and a commitment to helping.
“Their dignity must remain central to our response” reiterated the Municipality.
Both the MMC for social development, in the OR Tambo District, Nontyatyambo Gcingca, and Mesuli Ngqondwana, the Mayor, went to see the affected people and the extent of damage in Mqanduli, Buntingville and Ngqeleni.
A heat wave with persistently high temperatures is expected over Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape, as from Thursday, into Saturday.
Picture: Supplied