JTG villages drenched by heavy rains

The John Taolo Gaetsewe region, like all other regions in the province, has received abundant rains.

This has resulted in the manifestation of serious consequences in informal residential areas with poor architectural layout and inappropriate geological terrain. Many shanties and even well-established structures have become open water reservoirs in the yards and worse, valuables have been destroyed.

Magojaneng and Seodin villages have been the hardest-hit on the periphery of Kuruman town, whose residents are now pointing fingers at the Ga-segonyana local municipality for not coming to the party in rescuing their dire situation.

Rains have poured down without mercy in many areas and in these villages the overflowing water had triggered latrines to gush out ablution floating in their yards  

It goes without saying that the haphazard planting of residential structures has also contributed highly to the prevailing crisis.

According to the councillor who is under serious attack from the affected residents the local authority can only compile data and take it further to the provincial government for assistance. This is done by identifying and compiling names of affected households in these villages, of people deserving disaster management assistance from government. Affected residents have to draw a lesson that it is not about the building of self-imposed shelter today but also foreseeing the inevitable risks involved.

In an interview with the ward five Councillor Neo Disipi of Magojaneng, he said that he was deeply concerned with the unfolding situation in his ward and other areas within Ga-Segonyana local municipality. He also warned that people should not try to earn political relevance out of the natural disaster that has occurred.

It must be noted that chiefs and their headmen had been allocated stands indiscreetly, not knowing whether the terrain was flat nor tilted. Not every place is inhabitable. These rains are still showing prolonged activity. The municipality can intervene by facilitating logistical arrangement for the provincial government to come to the rescue.

However, some residents have lashed out at the councillor for being insensitive to their plight, a point he vehemently denies. He clearly stated that there is a clear distinction between these villages an urban setting. In town, residents pay rates directly to the municipality and as a result they deserve priority in the provision of services with the limited resources available.