By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
City of Cape Town’s Disaster Operations Center says eight people were electrocuted to death – four people in the Covid-19 informal settlement in Driftsands, as well as four children in the Klipfontein area.
It’s unclear the exact circumstances behind the electrocutions but it’s believed the weather played a role, as well as illegal connections.
City’s Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell said the eight people were electrocuted during ensuing flooding due to illegal electricity connections.
Four of them died in the Covid-19 informal settlement in Driftsands, and the other four died in the Klipfontein area.
She added that six children were evacuated from three houses in Strand and taken to the Strand Fire Station for safety.
It comes as emergency services continue to provide assistance to people affected by the floods.
Residents were evacuated from a retirement village in Somerset West and 170 people were moved to a hall in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village.
Emergency teams also assisted with evacuations from Faure and Sandvlei in Macassar. Residents indicated that they will seek shelter with friends and family,” she added.
“A group of people was reported trapped at the Kogel Bay resort as a result of roads being closed on both sides, leading to Gordon’s Bay and Rooi Els. The Provincial Disaster Risk Management Centre assisted the City in rescue efforts.”
Flooding affected numerous informal settlements across the city. Initial assessments indicated that more than a thousand homes were impacted.
“Sand and milling has already started being distributed to assist affected communities, while a number of humanitarian relief agencies are assisting with meals, blankets and other supplies, like baby packs,” Powell said.
Homes were also flooded in Durbanville, Bo-Kaap, Schaapkraal, Bellville South, Belhar, Sandvlei in Macassar, Strand, Gordon’s Bay, Knorhoek, Scottsdene and Hout Bay.