Many locals in the informal settlement told Eyewitness News that they had nowhere to sleep on Friday night after their homes were flooded.
Snake Park residents in Soweto on Friday, 9 December 2022, following heavy destructive rains. Picture: Nkosikhona Duma/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG – The residents of Snake Park in Soweto said they were desperate for help following heavy rains in the area.
Many locals in the informal settlement told Eyewitness News that they had nowhere to sleep on Friday night after their homes were flooded.
As the rain persisted, residents of Snake Park were worried that more people could be displaced.
Heavy downpours wreaked havoc in various parts of Gauteng since the beginning of the week.
READ: JMPD cautions motorists in Soweto, Roodepoort amid floods
The community of Snake Park in Soweto said their situation was worsened by residues of sludge coming from an abandoned mine into their homes.
A local activist Tiny Dlamini details the circumstances: “The rain has made the situation that was worse, worser, because this is worse. I’m always calling this a silent killer.”
Thokozile Mntambo said any form of assistance would be welcomed at this point.
“People are misplaced – they don’t have food, their furniture has been swept away by this mining sludge. They don’t have documents.”
As many residents scramble for survival, the South African Weather Service warned that there was a high likelihood of more rain over the weekend in Gauteng.
#JhbFloods: One person was rescued from this vehicle after flash floods hit Soweto this morning. Side note: EWN spotted some people carrying tyres and a battery among other items that appear to have been stripped from the vehicle. ND pic.twitter.com/XcwD8zU88z
‘ EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) December 9, 2022
#JhbFloods: Several bridges in the area are reported to have collapsed. Some roads are cracking and as a result, traffic is being redirected. ND pic.twitter.com/g0nZ4kLF8x
‘ EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) December 9, 2022
#JhbFloods: The police and Jo’burg Emergency Services have not confirmed any fatalities. However, some locals believe a driver and passengers driving in a red Polo vehicle may have drowned. The roof of the vehicle is captured in this video. ND pic.twitter.com/tMrWZ3VbtJ
‘ EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) December 9, 2022
#JhbFloods: Earlier, rescue personnel could not attend to the red vehicle because it was still raining heavily. The car was still submerged and rescuers were unable to identify it.
‘ EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) December 9, 2022
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