Makhura moves swiftly to help storm victims

Disaster management teams assist with shelter

Some parts of Gauteng could be declared disaster areas following severe storms that lashed the eastern and western parts of the province and the City of Johannesburg earlier this week.

Premier David Makhura said the decision was taken at an ordinary meeting of the executive council following a briefing on the extent of the damage by the department of co-operative governance and traditional affairs.

“Approximately 840 houses have been damaged by the storm and an estimated 1 600 people have been affected, with five fatalities reported so far. Two fatalities occurred as a direct result of the storm while three fatalities occurred as a result of motor vehicle incidents. Assessment of the damage is still ongoing,” he said.

“We are taking the necessary steps to declare some of the affected areas disaster areas so that we can tap into all available resources to assist those who have been displaced by the storm rebuild their lives.”

He said Laerskool Protearif and Laerskool Muldersdrift, both on the West Rand, were damaged.

The provincial department of education is working with school governing bodies, community members and other key education stakeholders in negotiating for temporary accommodation at neighbouring schools and churches.

He said disaster management teams have been assisting with providing temporary relief for those affected.

“Our sympathies go out to all the victims of the storms and I wish to express our heartfelt condolences as the provincial government to the grieving families. We wish all those injured a speedy recovery,” said Makhura.