Flood damage exposes poor infrastructure in Mogalakwena | Review

MOKOPANE – The Progressive Civics Congress Limpopo has voiced grave concerns about the state of the municipality, following the severe damage caused by recent heavy rains.

The flooding has revealed weaknesses in town planning and mismanagement of money, in the construction of critical infrastructure, including bridges, roads, and schools, they said in a statement.

Two bridges collapsed in Galakwena village near Mokopane due to flooding, cutting off residents from healthcare services and public transport. Despite ongoing complaints from the community about the bridges’ poor condition, no preventative measures were taken.

The organisation is calling on Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba and her cabinet to address these issues urgently.

Provincial Government acknowledged the widespread damage caused by the heavy rains and has begun planning interventions.

The premier expressed her concern. “The reports we have received tell of a devastating impact that requires immediate and long-term interventions from various departments and the national government. We are saddened by the loss of five lives due to the rains.”

She announced the formation of a multi-departmental team to assess and respond to the crisis. This team includes the Disaster Management Centre and departments such as Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, Education, Health, Social Development, and Cooperative Governance and Human Settlements.

Immediate measures include:

Visits to affected communities.

Repairing damaged roads.

Addressing collapsed school infrastructure.

Ramathuba stressed collaboration with national departments to assist disaster-stricken areas and quantify the required repairs, prioritising districts like Waterberg.

She urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid crossing overflowing rivers, and delay travel where possible. She assured the public of the government’s commitment to using available resources to repair roads and bridges, while the Department of Social Development aids affected families.