16 December 1998
Mpumalanga residents with houses on low lying areas have been warned by the MEC for Local Govt., Housing and Land Administration Craig Padayache to take necessary precautions to avoid flooding rivers and heavy rains predicted by the weather bureau. The MEC issued a warning during his address to the Mpumalanga Disaster Management Unit. The unit was urged to be on the alert of any Disaster during this festive season.
In Mpumalanga, some villages and houses are built below mountains and next to the rivers. This poor resident planning by the old government endangers the lives and properties of the formerly disadvantaged people in particular.
He further said that whilst projects under the Bulk Municipal Infrastructure Programme such as the installation of good drainage systems are earmarked to redress the situation. However, budgetary constraints make it very difficult for the Govt., to redress this and the unfortunate weather patterns complicate the situation.
Issued by Communication Services.
Department of Local Govt., Housing, and Land Administration.
Telephone(013) 755 4810
Contact: Arthur Ndlovu.