At least four people died in Mopani during the continuous rain and flooding that hit the area for the better part of the past week.

The one-year-old Kwatsi Makamu of Gubani village outside Malamulele died after a mud house collapsed on a family. Three members of the family were rushed to Malamulele Hospital after sustaining serious injuries.

The MEC for Cooperative Governance and Human Settlements, Mr Clifford Motsepe, said on Tuesday morning that the disaster management branches in the area were going to distribute more than 200 blankets and about 70 tents to the people who had been affected. They also have two helicopters on standby to assist where there is a need. “We are also going to partner with the South African Red Cross to assist flood victims,” said Motsepe

Many pupils and teachers in various parts of Vhembe and Mopani could not report to their respective schools, due to damaged infrastructure. The flood has also affected the supply from water schemes, as pipes were damaged by the floods.

Vhembe District Municipality spokesman Matodzi Ralushai said the municipality was still working hard to make sure that people were getting water. “Our disaster emergency team is remaining on full alert to provide assistance to victims of disaster and we also like to advise our people to contact their local municipality if they need help,” said Raslushai.