During a walkabout at the Setswetla and Marlboro informal settlements on the banks of the Jukskei River, officials from the Public Safety department warned flood-prone residents about the pitfalls of settling near a collapsing riverbank while equipping them with disaster-aversion tips.

​Flanked by his fellow Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Economic Development, Cllr Nkuli Mbundu, the Public Safety MMC Cllr David Tembe told residents susceptible to flooding to be vigilant during heavy rains.

Cllr Tembe and his colleagues undertook the walkabout on Monday, 21 November as part of efforts to ramp up awareness of natural disasters, which often occur during the December rainy season. He warned residents to be adequately prepared to deal with the aftermath of flooding.

He was accompanied by the acting Chief of the JMPD, Maxwell Khanyile, the Chief of EMS, Tshepo Makola, and other high-ranking municipal officials in the public safety department.

The disaster management campaign that Cllr Tembe led is designed to ensure residents living in floodplains have adequate knowledge and information to deal with the aftermath in the case of intermittent rain and flooding.

Cllr Tembe said the safety of Alexandra residents, particularly during the rainy and holiday seasons, was paramount.

“We came here to educate residents of these informal settlements about disaster management processes and the municipal services available to them in case of an emergency,” he said.

While walking along the banks of the Jukskei River, where many residents have built makeshift homes and shelters, Cllr Tembe said the City of Johannesburg was a caring municipality.

“You cannot launch a disaster management safety campaign without assessing the real extent of and the risks imposed by floods to the living conditions of the people of Setswetla.”

The Jukskei River, one of Joburg’s largest waterways, has gained notoriety over the years for wreaking devastating havoc in Alexandra, often resulting in catastrophic damage to informal settlements there when its banks collapse during flash floods.

With the walkabout came a door-to-door campaign, in which residents were educated about safety measures to adopt during flooding. Residents were also given informational pamphlets to help them with contact details in case of emergencies.

In the past weeks, residents of Johannesburg have experienced heavy downpours, leading to flash floods that have had a devastating impact on informal settlements across the City, particularly those built on river banks.

“We need to take fire and water safety education to churches, schools, and even taverns. We need to teach all spheres of society about first aid so we can save lives but also improve emergency response times,” he said.

The MMC told the community that it was the City’s duty to educate residents about environmental and natural tragedies such as floods, which have disastrous consequences.

“During the rainy season, there is always a catastrophe in these communities, from dying and missing persons to people losing all their belongings,” Cllr Tembe said.

EMS officials based in Alexandra demonstrated the City’s readiness to deal with flooding. The first responders showcased the equipment they use during search and rescue operations.

“We appreciate the work that you do on the ground,” said Cllr Mbundu, praising EMS officers whose job it is to protect and preserve lives during natural disasters and other emergencies.

Written by Dakalo Ramudidibi and Bongiwe Radebe

22/11/2022