Heavy rains damage houses and infrastucture in Vhembe

The past week's heavy rains have created havoc in the Vhembe region and numerous families lost houses and other belongings while several roads and bridges were damaged.

Many of the region's dams and rivers are overflowing, following the heavy downpours. Mud houses are especially vulnerable during such rain and in rural areas many of these have collapsed. Several families lost groceries, furniture and other belongings.

Ms Rabelani Mbadaliga of Tshiozwi, one of the victims, was busy cleaning up and assessing the damage after her three-room house had collapsed. Along with other family members, they tried to rescue some of the furniture damaged during the storms. Her house’s corrugated roof was also badly damaged.

Ms Dorcus Matshivha of Kutama, whose house collapsed, said that she was outside when the walls started caving in. "Since I came to Kutama in 2010, I have never experienced this," she said. She is now temporarily living with her neighbours with 14 other members of her family in a one-room shack.

On Saturday afternoon, villagers were still drying out mattresses, blankets, clothes, furniture and food. Motorists who are staying in slippery mountain areas like Maelula, Tshakhuma, and Maungani are parking their vehicles near the main tarred road, because they are unable to reach their homes.

A spokesperson for the Vhembe district municipality, Matodzi Ralushai, said that the affected communities were now forced to use alternative roads to get to work or school and run everyday errands. "Most of the bridges have structural problems, while others are under water," he said. "We have sent out a disaster team and we are visiting the different areas which have been affected by the floods. We are pleading with parents to warn their children not to swim in the dams or play near the rivers, because there are a lot of crocodiles," said Ralushai.

Ralushai told Mirror that  some of the families have been left homeless after their mud huts collapsed, but at this stage he has not received any reports of people injured after the huts had fallen down. He warned residents living close to rivers and streams that they must evacuate to a safer place or higher spot when the water level rises. “When you cross a flowing river where water reaches above your ankles, turn back and use alternative routes. Never try to walk, swim or drive in swift-flowing water as it can sweep you off your feet. Do not drive over a low-water bridge if the water is flowing strongly across it,” he said.

Date:14 March 2014

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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