Damaged roads in Waterberg District
The Limpopo Provincial Government under Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba is actively responding to widespread flooding across Waterberg and Capricorn districts, caused by recent torrential rains.
The damage assessment, coordinated by the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements & Traditional Affairs under MEC Basikopo Makamu, reveals significant infrastructure damage and displacement of residents.
Teams from the provincial executive council will visit affected areas starting on January 21st, conducting on-the-ground assessments of critical facilities.
The initial reports highlight severe damage to infrastructure including the flooding of settlements such as Thabo Mbeki in Lephalale, where residents were evacuated to a community hall. The Tambotie River Bridge in Lephalale was reported as severely damaged and unusable. The Witpoort Hospital was also inundated, forcing the evacuation of patients and staff to Ellisras Hospital.
The assessment further revealed that several towns and villages In the Waterberg district suffered substantial flooding damage, including Thabazimbi and Regorogile townships, where internal streets and storm water drainage systems were severely affected. In the Capricorn District, the situation is equally concerning. Numerous district roads were rendered impassable due to severe damage, particularly in the Blouberg Municipality. Several settlements reported widespread flooding, and the Mamadimo Park in Polokwane was severely impacted.
The provincial government has initiated a relief effort, including the distribution of emergency supplies to affected communities and ongoing damage assessments. MECs (Members of the Executive Council) from various departments have been deployed to oversee the response and coordinate efforts with local municipalities. The government emphasizes the importance of community collaboration and resilience during this challenging period.
The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the preliminary reports paint a grim picture of the widespread devastation. The government’s response will be crucial in helping the affected communities rebuild their lives and restore infrastructure. Ongoing assessments will provide a clearer picture of the overall damage, and additional support will be made available as needed. The government urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines issued by local authorities.
This is a follow-up visit by the Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba and Members of the Executive Council to an earlier visit which examined storm damages in the Waterberg District which is most adversely affected of the five districts in the province.