‘Inhumane and undignified’: Residents in Welkom left stranded by worsening floods

Staff Reporter

Welkom – Residents of Monna ha lahlwe and Thandanani Informal Settlements say they are living under inhumane and undignified conditions as recurring flooding continues to destroy their homes and livelihoods.

What has become a frequent problem whenever it rains has now escalated into a full-blown crisis, with large parts of the informal settlement submerged in water.

Shacks are surrounded by stagnant water, leaving families trapped, while inside, furniture, clothing and essential belongings have been soaked and damaged.

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Residents say they have long raised concerns about the flooding, but their pleas have gone unanswered.

“This happens every time it rains, but now it’s worse,” said one resident. “We haven’t slept.

We spent the whole night shovelling water just to create a path for it to flow.”

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Some residents say they have even been forced to borrow clothes from neighbours as their own belongings remain submerged in water.

Another resident said she had to ask people in a nearby area known as 2010 to look after her children amid the worsening conditions.

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Monna ha lahlwe is not the only informal settlement affected by floods, Phokeng is also affected.

Actvist Mzikayise David Mohatyaza said they sent emails to Premier.

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Another Phokeng resident Busisiwe Mabina said they have not received services in the past ten years.

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Tshidiso Tladi, spokesperson for Matjhabeng Local Municipality said the informal settlements are illegal and this is a Human Settlements matter.

This is a developing story.

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