ICYMI: Govt not liable for Bloemhof flood damage - Majodina
Earlier this week some business people along the banks of the Vaal River in Bloemhof were pleading for assistance after their buildings were submerged when the river overflowed.
On Friday, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina told residents in Bloemhof, along the Vaal River, in the North West, that the government would not be taking any responsibility for any losses and damages experienced by the people living along the flood lines.
This as the area experienced flooding due to recent heavy rains.
Majodina was speaking during her visit to the Bloemhof Dam, where she was assessing the water resource infrastructure amid heavy inflows into the dam.
Earlier this week, some business people along the banks of the Vaal River in Bloemhof were pleading for assistance after their buildings were submerged when the river overflowed.
The residents were evacuated after the dam's waters continued to rise.
Majodina said residents often think the government is in control of flooding, she however, adds that the government is only responsible for storing water in dams as well as plan according to what the weather service predicts. .
She said when flooding occurs due to heavy rains, the government cannot assure residents that they would not be affected.
“People must stay away from the flood line, they must just move. They came voluntarily to build their businesses and houses. So, we cannot be responsible, even this municipality of Lekwa cannot be responsible for their deeds. They came voluntarily and there are no documents of their occupation," said Majodina.
Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality Mayor, Sebong Mohlapi, said most people residing near dams do not have title deeds or permission to build in the area.
“Most of them were erected during the transitioning government, and so we are in talks with the residents because the land belongs to the municipality, they do not have permission to erect this land,” said Mohlapi.
Mohlapi said it is not the first time residents in the area experienced floods.
Two years ago residents faced the same ordeal, however, they still went back to occupy the land.
Sharing this during the oversight, Mohlapi said the only help the government can offer is to evacuate people to other areas.
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