Thursday, July 12, 2012

Number of Cape flood victims rises

Cape Town - The number of Capetonians affected by the floods at the weekend has risen to 32 691, the City said on Wednesday.

Spokeswoman Priya Reddy said the latest figure was recorded after acting mayor alderman Ian Neilson's visit to some of the affected areas.

These included the Masicendane informal settlement in Strandfontein and the Masiphumelele informal settlement in Fish Hoek.

Reddy said the city had worked with the provincial government and the SA Social Services Association to provide social relief amounting to over R1,4 million.

The money was spent on blankets, meals, flood kits, food parcels and baby packs.

Disaster risk management officials said some affected residents were still staying in their shacks, refusing to be moved to temporary centres.

“They don't want to move. They (are) saying they are afraid to lose their plots, but we will continue to talk to them,” said City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management spokesman Wilfred Solomons-Johannes.

He said winter weather conditions always brought discomfort to residents. “This is not something new.”

On Sunday, the city said it had attended to 348 calls where roads, property and informal areas needed attention.

The SA Weather Services predicted showers on Thursday afternoon, with “localised floods” on Friday. - Sapa

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