Natural disasters hit Dukwi
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Friday January 18, 2019 12:08
Hundreds of people in the village were left in the dark with no potable water to drink due to the power cut which the villagers experienced shortly after the rainfall. In an interview with Mmegi, Dukwi councillor Thatayaone Kehitile confirmed that the heavy rains and winds have ruined people’s homes and businesses.
He said some people were left homeless following the incident. He added that residents went four days without electricity and potable water, services that were only restored Wednesday morning.
Kehitile also mentioned that most of the businesses in the village such as tuckshops, bakeries and general dealers were also badly hit by the rains. The villages badly affected included Dukwi, Mosetse, Sowa Town, Nata and others.
“Some people have incurred losses in their businesses. The rain and winds did not only destroy the infrastructure, but have damaged their properties and stock. The situation is very painful because they will have to start everything afresh,” he said.
He added that some buildings were destroyed by trees that fell on them. Kehitile said that already about 13 houses including the Village Development Committee (VDC), teachers’ quarters, classrooms and kgotla shelter were affected by the destruction.
For his part, the village leader Kgosi Oletsositse Mosweu narrated that on Saturday afternoon a dark cloud befell their village leaving a trail of destruction.
Mosweu said five teachers’ houses at Tachibona Primary School were destroyed by big trees that fell on them due to heavy winds and rainfall.
He said the affected families were given tents as temporary shelter alongside food hampers. The Dukwi village leader said the district commissioner, chairperson of Tutume sub-district and other leaders came to visit the affected families on Monday.
He also said disaster management team is on the ground, surveying the damage and also helping affected individuals. “Since Saturday there has been no power nor water in the village and the situation is becoming worrisome, “he said.
Mosweu cried out to Botswana Power Corporation and Water Utilities Corporation to assist them with their services.