Reuters
FILE PICTURE
Wendy Jasson da Costa and Kamini Padayachee
ABOUT 100 Ladysmith families had a cold, miserable Christmas after their homes were damaged by a severe storm on Christmas Eve.
Ladysmith mayor Vincent Madlala yesterday appealed for support, saying the homes had been severely damaged and that their owners needed food and clothes.
“Some of the homes’ walls collapsed and roofs were blown off. Others were flooded during the storm. Some families had the food they had bought for the festive season ruined, and furniture was damaged. We offered to set people up in community halls, but they did not want to leave their homes, so we set up tents for them,” he said.
Madlala said food, clothing and blankets could be donated to the stricken families through the municipality’s public safety department.
The department can be telephoned at 036 6311 777.
Meanwhile, thousands of families whose homes were damaged or destroyed in floods in the eThekwini region between December last year and November this year are still waiting for assistance.
At a meeting of the council’s executive committee last week, it emerged that 5 434 homes had been affected and that the municipality had asked the provincial Human Settlements Department for financial assistance.
However, only 70 percent of the money required had been received. In addition, while service providers had been appointed to do the repairs, they would only be able to start next year.
The municipality said repairs to houses in all areas would start simultaneously, to avoid upsetting communities.
Human Settlements Department spokeswoman Sureshinee Govender said they had received three requests for assistance in respect of 2010/11 disasters which had been assessed and approved. The amounts ranged from R19 million to more than R84m.
“In terms of an interim protocol agreed with eThekwini Municipality, 70 percent was advanced up front. The balance is held back pending the necessary expenditure and reconciliation reports.”
Govender said the municipality’s latest application for R81m was received on December 7 and would be verified and assessed before being considered for funding.
