Floods leave residents homeless in Charleshill

| Friday February 7, 2014 15:29

The heavy downpour lasted from Monday to Wednesday resulting in floods that damaged the local primary school.

The floods left staff houses and classrooms at Kalkfontein School submerged in water. Charleshill District Officer, Keolopile Leipego said the floods forced the school to suspend  classes.

'We received a report that classes had been suspended due to the floods and we are trying to assist with tents so that classes can resume,' said Leipego.

He said his office is organising how to pump the stagnant water in front of classes at the school. He fears that the water may be a breeding ground for mosquitoes which may transmit malaria.

He said the Disaster Preparedness Committee is on its toes to assist the affected families with tents. He said the floods affected Chobokwane village and residents will also receive assistance.

'The committee has not received any report on the damaged foodstuff and clothes. Once the report has been completed and brought to us, we will assist accordingly,' Leipego said.

Kalkfontein School headmaster, Jimmy Motswasele said they were shocked on Tuesday morning to find the school compound, staff houses and classrooms submerged in water.  “Some students came to school wet and we took a decision to send them back home. “We hope the situation will normalise very soon. We have also requested for a truck from the council to pump the water as it poses a danger to pupils,” he said.

A resident of Tsootshaa Kebaitopetse Seeng said she woke up at her house in the middle of the night to find herself submerged in water. She felt wet and when she woke up and lit the lamp, she realised the house was flooded.

'All the clothes, food, blankets were wet and I had to go to a nearby home to ask for accommodation. “These are the first floods we have had since I moved to Tsootsha and I plead with the council to assist us. I don’t have food. I don’t have anything,” she pleaded.

 

LEINANYANA TSIANE

Correspondent