During a walkabout on the Setswetla and Marlboro casual settlements on the banks of the Jukskei River, officers from the Public Safety division warned flood-prone residents concerning the pitfalls of settling close to a collapsing riverbank whereas equipping them with disaster-aversion tips.
Cllr Tembe and his colleagues undertook the walkabout on Monday, 21 November as a part of efforts to ramp up consciousness of pure disasters, which regularly happen throughout the December wet season. He warned residents to be adequately ready to take care of the aftermath of flooding.
He was accompanied by the performing Chief of the JMPD, Maxwell Khanyile, the Chief of EMS, Tshepo Makola, and different high-ranking municipal officers within the public security division.
The disaster administration marketing campaign that Cllr Tembe led is designed to make sure residents dwelling in floodplains have satisfactory data and knowledge to take care of the aftermath within the case of intermittent rain and flooding.
Cllr Tembe mentioned the security of Alexandra residents, notably throughout the wet and vacation 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 mentioned.
While strolling alongside the banks of the Jukskei River, the place many residents have constructed makeshift properties and shelters, Cllr Tembe mentioned 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 in every of Joburg’s largest waterways, has gained notoriety over time for wreaking devastating havoc in Alexandra, usually leading to catastrophic injury to casual settlements there when its banks collapse throughout flash floods.
With the walkabout got here a door-to-door marketing campaign, during which residents have been educated about security measures to undertake throughout flooding. Residents have been additionally given informational pamphlets to assist them with contact particulars in case of emergencies.
In the previous weeks, residents of Johannesburg have skilled heavy downpours, resulting in flash floods which have had a devastating affect on casual settlements throughout the City, notably these constructed 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 mentioned.
The MMC informed the group that it was the City’s responsibility to teach residents about environmental and pure tragedies reminiscent of floods, which have disastrous penalties.
“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 mentioned.
EMS officers based mostly in Alexandra demonstrated the City’s readiness to take care of flooding. The first responders showcased the tools they use throughout search and rescue operations.
“We appreciate the work that you do on the ground,” mentioned Cllr Mbundu, praising EMS officers whose job it’s to guard and protect lives throughout pure disasters and different emergencies.
Written by Dakalo Ramudidibi and Bongiwe Radebe
22/11/2022