TO: ALL MEDIA
DATE: 06 FEBRUARY 2025
*MEC BENTLEY VASS NOTES THE RECENT THUNDERSTORMS INCIDENCE IN AUGRABIES, IN THE KAI-GARIB LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, IN THE ZF MGCAWU DISTRICT, AND COMMITS THE SUPPORT OF THE NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT TO THE AFFECTED COMMUNITY.*
MEC Bentley Vass responsible for the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), in the Northern Cape, has received and noted a report on the thunderstorms incidence that took place on Tuesday, 04 February 2025, in the Augrabies area of the Kai-Garib Municipality, in the ZF Mgcawu District.
The high winds, heavy rainfall, and hail, caused significant damage to property, resulting in one fatality and displacing around twelve (12) families as per the preliminary report.
MEC Vass, said ‘’We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased who passed away in such a tragic manner. A multi-disciplinary team consisting of the local and district municipalities, different government departments and emergency services, led by the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) is continuing to assess the situation in the affected area. The team has been mobilised to work with speed and involve other state entities like Eskom, to bring some normality to the distraught families’’.
Temporary shelter arrangements have been made by government for over sixty (60) family members of the displaced families.
Distribution of basic necessities like food, water, and clothing, is ongoing in the area and government also dispatched a team to assess the damages at the local school, as well as to provide psycho social support to learners and teachers of the affected school in the area.
MEC Vass concluded by saying that a comprehensive recovery plan will be developed to assist the families to rebuild their lives.
For Media Enquiries/Interviews: Contact
Mr Tebogo Monyo
Media Liaison Officer for MEC Vass
Cell : 060 376 7515
E-mail: tmonyo@nccoghsta.gov.za
ISSUED BY THE NORTHERN CAPE MINISTRY OF COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE, HUMAN SETTLEMENTS AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS (COGHSTA)