Family resort to blankets to prevent water ingress

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We are dismayed by the revelation of a family forced to resort to placing blankets on the floor to prevent water ingress, ActionSA Mpumalanga provincial chairperson Thoko Mashiane revealed.

ActionSA in Mpumalanga has demanded government intervention as devastating floods expose shoddy work at Siyanqoba RDP houses.

In the aftermath of recent heavy rains, numerous RDP homes area of eMalahleni are grappling with the adverse effects of flooding, rainwater seepage, and substantial damage to their belongings and furniture, provincial chairperson Thoko Mashiane said.

According to Mashiane, while the broader eMalahleni community celebrates the much-needed precipitation, for those residing in these RDP homes, it represents much distress and struggle.

She added; “Now faced with the daunting task of salvaging whatever is possible from the water damage, many of these families are left vulnerable and in desperate need of assistance.

“We are dismayed by the revelation of a family forced to resort to placing blankets on the floor to prevent water ingress.

“Desperate for relief, they even went so far as to drill a hole in one of their bedroom walls to allow water to flow into the backyard, alleviating the mounting pressure caused by the surging volumes.

“Tragically, this story reflects the neglectful attitude consistently displayed by the eMalahleni municipality towards its residents.

“Shockingly, in keeping with this general disregard, the municipality has failed to provide the much-needed assistance to the distressed families.”

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Mashiane stated that this serves as yet another solemn testament to the total lack of empathy exhibited by the ANC government.

She strongly urged the Mpumalanga department of human settlements to adhere to the housing code of 2009, which stipulates essential programme interventions integral to housing assistance in emergency housing circumstances.