Opposition parties on Wednesday said there should be punitive measures in place for municipalities that allow people to build houses below the floodline.
Eight thousand households were affected by the severe flooding in eight provinces in recent weeks.
Municipalities built below floodline
On Wednesday, the National Disaster Management Centre and the Cooperative Governance Department briefed Parliament on the disaster.
Opposition MPs said building below floodlines is a town planning issue and municipalities should be held responsible for allowing it to go ahead.
During recent flooding the consequences were devastating and thousands of people lost their homes.
R1.5-billion bill expected
The National Disaster Management Centre's Mmaphaka Tau said early estimates indicate damage of over R1.5-billion.
"There will also be some secondary facts. Some buildings might collapse later because some are still submerged," said Tau.
He said government is still waiting for some provincial reports before it can make an exact assessment.
One wonders if there is any urban planning when cities expand and grow.
Think most of the municipal managers should play "sim city" to get a feel for what it takes to grow a city.
http://news.iafrica.com/sa/701622.htm
Eight thousand households were affected by the severe flooding in eight provinces in recent weeks.
Municipalities built below floodline
On Wednesday, the National Disaster Management Centre and the Cooperative Governance Department briefed Parliament on the disaster.
Opposition MPs said building below floodlines is a town planning issue and municipalities should be held responsible for allowing it to go ahead.
During recent flooding the consequences were devastating and thousands of people lost their homes.
R1.5-billion bill expected
The National Disaster Management Centre's Mmaphaka Tau said early estimates indicate damage of over R1.5-billion.
"There will also be some secondary facts. Some buildings might collapse later because some are still submerged," said Tau.
He said government is still waiting for some provincial reports before it can make an exact assessment.
One wonders if there is any urban planning when cities expand and grow.
Think most of the municipal managers should play "sim city" to get a feel for what it takes to grow a city.
http://news.iafrica.com/sa/701622.htm
