A German-funded non-governmental organisation has pledged to build houses for Beit Bridge families whose homes were recently destroyed by floods.

The heavy rains left eight people dead and destroyed huts and houses at more than 40 homesteads, as well as infrastructure in the district. Among the dead were three children, aged four, five and nine, who died when the huts they were sleeping in collapsed. Also killed were a local businessman, Simon Mudau (61), and his wife, Christina (61), whose vehicle was swept away by the floods. All the eight victims have since been buried.

The Beit Bridge district administrator, Mr Simon Muleya, told Limpopo Mirror that the government had assisted in the burial of the eight. “We are pleased to note that a donor, Health German, has pledged to build homes for the families whose homes were destroyed by the storm, especially in Tshikwalakwala village. We had a meeting with the donor and we discussed the issue and gave them the bill of quantities for the initiative,” said Muleya.

Muleya, who is also the chairperson of the local Civil Protection Unit committee, said some of the homeless families were still staying at Tshikwalakwala Clinic, where authorities gave them tents and food. Low-lying areas, such as the villages of Tshikwalakwala, Tshitulipasi, Tshaswingo and Mawale, were the worst affected.

Last week, the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Kembo Mohadi, visited the affected families and expressed shock at the level of destruction. The whole irrigation scheme in Tshikwalakwala was submerged and more than 30 people were left homeless.

“The situation is seriou; so much so that we had to use a helicopter because the roads are virtually impassable and bridges were damaged. From an aerial view, the whole landscape appeared to have been washed away. Even if the water subsides, most of the houses willnot be suitable for habitation and we are appealing for more assistance from well-wishers,” Mohadi said.

He said livestock, such as goats and sheep and other smaller stock, were washed away in some places, as well as crops.