Scores rescued in flooded Limpopo

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Johannesburg - About 1300 people have been rescued across Limpopo this week due to extensive flooding, the provincial government said on Friday. “We have rescued about 1300 people since Tuesday,” spokesman Phuti Seloba said. “We have assisted about 700 families, of which 177 are from Lephalale.” Seloba urged motorists to avoid using any roads leading to Lephalale, and the R101 from Bela-Bela to Mookgopong after the dam burst on Thursday. He said no drownings had been reported to the department since Tuesday.

Most people were being accommodated in community halls in the drier parts of the area.

Various government departments were assisting in managing the situation, he said.

Premier Stan Mathabatha, health MEC Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, transport MEC Lehlohonolo Masoga, human settlements MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe and public works MEC Dickson Masemola visited Lephalale to assess the area on Thursday.

“[Mathabatha] reviewed the situation and said it was critical and that as a province we might not have all the required resources to deal with the situation,” Seloba said.

He said provincial officials were communicating with national government.

“National government has been properly briefed. We believe we will get the proper intervention.”

Sapa