The Riebeeckstad retention dam overflowed on Friday afternoon (1/5) following heavy rainfall across the Free State Goldfields. About 500 residents, especially in Matjhabeng wards 11, 14, 16, and 25, were assisted by the Red Cross in the Free State, together with the Lejweleputswa disaster management centre, to evacuate their homes.

Affected residents were temporarily accommodated at a local public school through the coordinated efforts of a ward councillor, Matjhabeng municipality, Lejweleputswa district municipality, the Red Cross, and other stakeholders.

“A multidisciplinary technical task team has been established to coordinate response efforts and ensure continued support to affected communities,” said municipal spokesperson Tshediso Tlali.

“The team comprises disaster management, relevant departments within Matjhabeng (human settlements, infrastructure, and community services), the department of health, the department of social development, the police and the Red Cross.”

Teams have been deployed to investigate the continued inflow of water into affected areas despite the subsiding rainfall, said Tlali. During inspections along Hennenman Road, the municipal infrastructure team identified significant water flow originating from adjacent farms, which is feeding directly into the already overflowing Riebeeckstad retention dam.

Similar conditions were observed along Kroonstad Road, where runoff from surrounding farms is also contributed to the situation.

On Sunday (3/5), drones were deployed to assess inaccessible areas and trace additional sources of incoming water. Preliminary findings indicate that the flooding is largely due to runoff from northern farming areas following the recent heavy rainfall across Matjhabeng, said Tlali.

Free State Red Cross manager Claudia Mangwegape said they managed to allocate mattresses and blankets for people who were evacuated. “We are now providing hot meals to the community that has been affected.” An assessment is being conducted to determine the number of people involved.

The number of 500 may rise, she added. “As soon as we have completed the process, we will be able to return with humanitarian aid such as food parcels, blankets and mattresses. Social workers will also be deployed to conduct psychosocial support.”

Meanwhile, community organisation Voice for Change (Gatvol) Matjhabeng is also on the ground involved in assisting affected residents. On its Facebook page, the organisation slammed the municipality, saying it had cautioned Matjhabeng two weeks ago about the danger posed by the water and nothing was done.

“During Friday, we were already on the ground, helping residents prepare because the risk was obvious. That night, it was us, together with the councillor, evacuating people from their homes.” It was not the municipality leading that effort.

The municipality’s statement is misleading, it added, saying on Saturday morning, the SA Red Cross Society responded. At that point, it was Voice for Change, the councillor, and the Red Cross actively assisting the community.

It’s understood that social development officials only arrived after members of the organisation were already on site and took the initiative, including visiting a nearby farm, engaging the farmer, and using a drone to assess where the water was coming from.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cvs

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