700 shacks damaged in Mamelodi floods
An estimated 700 shacks have been affected by torrential rains at an informal settlement in Eerste Fabrieke in Mamelodi on Monday.
Dozens of residents were left stranded as a result.
Earlier, the South African Weather Service warned of flooding in some parts of Gauteng due to the persistent rainfall since last week.
Acting Social Development MEC Panyaza Lesufi visited the community crippled by the flooding, saying his department would provide assistance to the displaced residents.
"For families that are in distress we can carry them for the next 48 hours until the situation is under control.
"I think the first line is protect the poor, protect those that are in danger and then take them to safety, provide assistance and allow the emergency services to their work.”
Dramatic video footage showed shacks being swept away but no casualties had been reported.
"The information they have given us is that it's just people that are trapped. We have not formally received any number from casualty or people that have passed on."
🔴 BREAKING: Multiple reports of SHACKS BEING SWEPT AWAY and many homes submerged in water in MAMELODI, OUTSIDE PRETORIA | 📸Supplied pic.twitter.com/uWzioBM6lF
— Gauteng Weather (@tWeatherSA) December 9, 2019
Meanwhile, a military helicopter was also called in to help rescue some 70 people trapped in the Centurion Lake Hotel in Tshwane.
[WATCH] Military helicopter rescues Centurion Hotel guests
Centurion has been the worst hit area after persistent rainfall in Gauteng since last week. ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring says the helicopter will airlift the guests to a nearby sports field once they have been rescued from the flooded hotel. No injuries or fatalities have been reported.
