Mashinini says the onus lies with local government to ensure, not only that contingency plans are in place, but also that infrastructure, specifically water pumps, are maintained and kept in an optimum condition to have rainwater flow out. He assures the public that the instances of flooding around the province, most notably in Welkom this past week, are now under control. He said this at the launch of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality’s Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN) today in Bloemfontein.

Following heavy rains over the Easter long weekend, several towns in the province experienced localised flooding, resulting in several key roads being shut down for safety. About 140 Bronville residents had to be evacuated and taken to shelters after their homes were flooded with rainwater. One man is reported to have drowned and is yet to be identified. Mashinini lauds Matjhabeng Local Municipality Mayor, Nkosinjani Speelman, local police, and other stakeholders for assisting. On Wednesday, Free State premier, Sisi Ntombela, declared Bronville a disaster area after visiting the area the same day.

OFM has joined hands with the municipality to lend a helping hand to the affected. “While we have enjoyed the rain in our region for the past couple of days, it is unfortunate that the heavy rains have led to localised flooding in the Goldfields area, which was so severe that the Free State Premier, Sisi Ntombela, declared Bronville at Welkom a disaster area on April the 24th. We, as OFM, have decided to lend a helping hand and we are encouraging our loyal listeners to assist the community by donating warm winter clothes, blankets, non-perishable food, food for animals, toiletries and other items at the Gold Fields Mall’s Guest Relations Desk at Entrance 2,” said OFM’s Marketing Manager, Lindiwe Mtwentula.

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