Yesterday Ms Sylvia Lucas, Premier of the Northern Cape, visited Petrusville in the Renosterberg Municipality where a natural disaster that struck the previous week left many families without shelter. Ms Lucas wanted to assess the resultant damage and the immediate aid that had been provided to these distressed families.

The area was hit by a heavy storm that damaged electric wires and poles and ripped of the rooftops of several houses. The affected families are being accommodated temporarily by their immediate families, neighbors and in the public library hall. Since the disaster struck the Departments of Social Development, SASSA and Health have provided meals and food parcels to the families. The Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs has done an assessment of the damage and will be applying for relief from the disaster fund to provide housing to those worst affected by the storm.

Ms Lucas expressed her gratitude to the Government departments and private people who have come to the aid of these distressed families. She especially applauded the two contractors who were doing repairs to some of the houses from their own resources and encouraged other entrepreneurs to follow the example of these contractors and also pledge their support towards the disaster.

For Ouma Ida Afrika, who is in her eighties, the aid and relief from Government and the contractor came as a great relief because now she can move back into her revamped property only days after the disaster has struck.

“Whenever something like this happens, people need to feel that they have a Government that cares, that they can turn to. I appreciate and commend the efforts of everyone that responded speedily to come to the assistance of these families,” said Ms Lucas.

Released by the Office of the Premier
Spokesperson: Bronwyn Thomas-Abrahams, 083 447 6586