Shacks in low lying areas are flooded and the weather forecast promises no respite. All photos by Vincent Lali
Residents of informal settlements have been the hardest hit by the heavy downpours, cold, and gusty winds that have engulfed parts of the Western Cape Province for the past two weeks.
Last week, Elitsha reported on the cries for help from residents of informal settlements as government officials were crisscrossing the city, exploiting their miserable situation for photo opportunities and political opportunism. The situation has gotten worse for informal settlement residents as they try mop up, which endeavours have been hampered by more rain and the next cold front.
Sesihle Gxothani from Qandu-Qandu informal settlement said that her shack was flooded at around 3p.m. today. “My blanket fell onto the floor. When I picked it up, it was dripping wet,” she said. Waking up, she picked up some of her belongings and sheltered at the church. The rain drenched her clothes, school kids’ uniforms and furniture, she said. “My aunt’s kids have not gone to school today because their school uniforms are wet. We want food and blankets because ours are wet.” A shack stands engulfed in water in Qandu-Qandu, Khayelitsha on Friday.Melisa Thando stands in the doorway of her shack in Qandu-Qandu Khayelitsha today. “When my boyfriend and I woke up this morning, we found our place was surrounded by water. We struggle to leave our shack now,” she said. They placed the bed, fridge and cupboard on bricks to prevent water from drenching and damaging them.Yondeka Mphosi stands near shacks in Qandu-Qandu whose owner has been displaced. The owner has moved to his parents’ place in the J section of Khayelitsha. Mphosi said: “He always leaves his shack when it gets flooded and returns after the rain has subsided and after water has sunk in his shack. When he returns, he will move his furniture out to dry,” she said.Shacks located in low-lying areas are engulfed in water, as in Level Two informal settlement today. Mobility is difficult in the affected areas.
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