Four families are appealing for assistance with donations after their homes were flooded during the storm that battered the Cape last week.
People’s Post spoke with three affected homeowners who reside in the informal settlements at Masiphumelele, namely: WE 197, WE 103 and WE 502.
Masiphumelele community leader Siphokazi Diko told People’s Post she was trying to assist the affected families.
She said that the affected homes were near a wetland.
“Up to 1 000 people were affected by the flooding because 80% of people in Masiphumelele stay in the wetlands,” Diko said.
A look at one of the home’s in Masiphumelele whose living room was soaked during the storm that ravaged the Cape this week. 
Families in Masiphumelele whose home’s were flooded are appealing for assistance with donations. Photos: supplied. 
The flooding that took place Meyeza road in Masiphumlele on Saturday 28 June.
A mother, Ntombozuko Ngece, stays at WE 197 and says her house, furniture and clothes are drenched from the storm.
“The floods affected us very badly, we also have kids and it’s difficult for them to stand in the water and our beds are wet. We couldn’t manage to save anything; on Thursday June 26 we had to go and ask for a place to stay with relatives,” Ngece says.
She adds that so far there has been no assistance from the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRMC).
The City of Cape Town says the DRMC had no reports of flooding in Masiphumelele in recent days.
DRMC Spokesperson Sonica Lategan added: “The DRMC received reports of flooding in Wolmarans Street in Southfield where eight houses were affected. The Roads and Infrastructure Management Services (RIMS) provided 200 sandbags. Flood kits were requested from Informal Settlements Management for 370 affected structures/houses in the Lavender Hill area. While reports were received of impacts in Parkwood, the assessments have yet to be finalised.
“We can’t specify the kinds of damages to our home but we will appreciate any donations, like black plastics to cover our roof, furniture, blankets and clothes,” Ngece says.
She hopes the government can improve the living conditions to avoid future disasters.
Thanduxolo Duda stays at WE 103 and says her entire house including their furniture and clothes were drenched.
“Everything in my house is a mess. At the leaks I placed buckets. So far no one has assisted. We’d appreciate any roof covers,” he says.
Custer Tsobo stays at WE 502 and says her children have fallen ill due to the damp conditions of their home.
“My house is full of water. My furniture is broken and my fridge is not working. My kids are not well because of wetness in my house,” she said.
One resident who wishes to remain anonymous says the storm affected their electrical appliances and light bulbs.
“We manage the leaks by using buckets and big dishes for the water so that we do not damage our beds and floors,” he says.
The City reiterates that if a call is not logged with the Public Emergency Communication Centre, the Disaster Operations Centre or the ward councillor for escalation, then they will not know about the incident.
Ward 69 Councillor Patricia Francke told People’s Post that she’s been monitoring the flooding in Masiphumlele since the rains started last Wednesday.
“The situation has been escalated to Disaster management to assist and we are trying to coordinate some donations to help. On Saturday morning June 28 I was driving around the area looking for flood victims. Currently Disasters Management and Living Hope are busy doing visits to flood victims and will assist with the necessary needs of residents in Masiphumelele and other areas affected,” she said.
Living Hope are a non profit organisation based in Kommetjie focused on supporting indiviudals affected by HIV and AIDS in disadvantaged communities.
Illegal dumping and the construction of unauthorised structures over stormwater infrastructure continue to compromise the system’s performance says mayco member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas.
“Blocked systems prevent proper drainage often result in avoidable localised flooding. Several canals, vleis, and retention ponds are reaching capacity, which is contributing to localised flooding.
The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate is closely monitoring conditions and will be able to assess pressure points more accurately once the rain subsides,” he said.
For more information or to make a contribution phone Diko at 063 839 4505.
