2009-03-03: Reconstruction starts to bring relief to flood-hit areas in Joburg
CITY of Johannesburg officials are continuing with emergency relief work following the devastating floods that hit parts of Johannesburg since last Thursday.
City agencies and officials have already started with the reconstruction of roads and bridges. Water and electricity is now available whilst pipes and infrastructure is being repaired. Clean-up operation and debris like sand, soil, stones and bricks removal continues. Contractors are also on site assessing damaged to houses. Multi-disciplinary teams are working with Ward Councillors to quantify all this.
The cost of cleaning up and reconstruction on affected areas identified so far is estimated at R350 million.
Cllr Amos Masondo, the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, on Friday, declared the worst affected parts a disaster area in terms of the Disaster Management Act, 57 of 2002. This followed a visit to Soweto by the ANC President, Jacob Zuma accompanied by Gauteng Premier, Paul Mashatile and Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Amos Masondo.
The city has already started to distribute assistance in the form of food, clothing and blankets to affected families. About 200 families have been identified to receive priority attention.
The body of a 13-year old girl was recovered over the weekend. The city will help cover some of the funeral costs. The family of a 20-day child has been located. Counseling related assistance are being provided. The search for those reported missing is continuing.
Mayor Masondo expressed his appreciation to individuals and organisations that have already made donations to assist the families in need.
The Office of the City Manager and the Jabulani Fire Station serve as receiving sites for donations.
The identified needs include the following: school uniforms, school books as well as food.
A dedicated phone line - 011 375 5920 - is in operation to deal with all issues related to the flood including donations and to provide information on where members of the community can receive assistance.
A Joint Operational Centre (JOC) has been established at the Jabulani Fire Station to coordinate all rescue and relief efforts. It remains in ongoing contact with the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) and the SA Weather Service to monitor the risk of potential new rain storms and act accordingly.
Help-desks have been established at the Jabulani, Diepkloof and Dobsonville fire station where staff members from the City's departments of Human Development, Disaster Management and the Department of Home Affairs, will assist with enquiries and take action where necessary.
Environmental health teams and the SA Medical Service are on standby to address issues such as cholera and other communicable diseases.
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) is in the area to ensure management of traffic and conduct regular patrols following unconfirmed complaints of looting.
A team of volunteers and government officials led by the Member of the Mayor Committee for Community Development, Cllr Nandi Mayathula-Khoza and Gauteng MEC Qedani Mahlangu joined members of the community over the weekend in clean-up operations.
An initial assessment by the City indicates that 15 wards in Soweto have been affected, four in Orange Farm, one in North Riding and Ivory Park. In Alexandra, several shacks were flooded and four bridges rendered impassable on Saturday afternoon.
The George Goch and Khumalo Street bridges in Dube suffered extensive damage. A contractor is already on site at the George Goch, Mahalefele, Mzilikazi, Mofolo South, Hyperion Bridge (North Riding) bridges.
Medium to long term reconstruction will include road resurfacing, signage and storm water drainage systems.
Another priority is to repair the damage done to the water reticulation network. The city has received reports of 18 water pipe bursts and 73 occurrences of blocked sewers.
Water tankers have been sent to provide emergency relief to areas where the water supply has been disrupted.
Officials from City Power and Eskom are already in the area to assess the damage caused to power lines and to restore supply as a matter of urgency.
Pikitup has started with clean-up operations in Meadowlands. It will progressively move to other affected areas.
Issued on behalf of:
Cllr Amos Masondo
Executive Mayor
City of Johannesburg
Issued by:
Gabu Tugwana
Communication Director
Public Liaison Department
City of Johannesburg
Tel: 011 407-7162
Cell: 0824955673
For further enquiries contact:
Percy Marokone
Acting Communication Manager
Emergency Management Services
City of Johannesburg
Tel: 011 758 9540
Cell: 083 288 3751/082 813 8773
