National Assembly Ad Hoc Committee for disaster relief visits Joburg

Today, Tuesday 20 June 2023, Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Kabelo Gwamanda hosted the Co-Chairpersons of the Ad Hoc Joint Committee on Flood Disaster Relief and Recovery from the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces.

The Committee is on an oversight visit to Gauteng from Monday 19 to Wednesday 21 June 2023, to conduct an assessment on the extent of the damage caused by the 2022 floods in the City of Joburg, Tshwane and Sedibeng District.

The 40 national, provincial and local delegates were briefed on the extent of the damage caused by the December 2022 floods in Johannesburg.

The report presented by the City outlined the immediate to medium term interventions that have been implemented in various regions in response to the flooding incidents experienced.

The heavy rainfall affected areas mainly Region C, D, E, F & G, where road infrastructure was severely damaged, water ingress into residential properties and many families were displaced. 

Furthermore, the report sought to serves as a request for emergency funding to be allocated to the City of Joburg to assist with the required operational restoration of the infrastructure impacted by the floods.

 The delegation from the City stated that there have been several emergency and disaster situations in Johannesburg such as fires, flash flooding incidents and evictions. Four funding applications for Emergency Housing Programmes have been submitted to the Province and to date only one has been granted for the Kwa Mai Mai Informal Settlement.

After the formalities, the delegation embarked on a visit to Meadowlands, Nancefield and Mosquito Valley in Lenasia to engage with members of the community and assess the impact of the floods on the affected communities.

There was an assuring commitment from the Committee to engage with critical stakeholders from the national government to unlock the funds required to complete the restoration work the City has started.

The Co-Chairperson Honourable CT Frolick said that the committee will be returning to Johannesburg to deal with urgent matters raised by City leadership and the members of the public during the visit.