23 Feb 2017

Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Thato Kwerepe has made an appeal to community members to help those affected by floods.

Assistant minister made the plea after touring some the infrastructures affected by floods in the Ramotswa area yesterday.

He visited the damaged road near Taung Bridge, destroyed Railway line and Bamalete Luthren Hospital.

Some people have been evacuated from their homes, hence Mr Kwerepe called on the public to accommodate those affected with clothing and food stuff.

About 150 households have been affected in places such as Ramotswa, Moshupa, Mahalapye, Nkange, Lobatse, Kanye and Goodhope

Mr Kwerepe therefore pleaded with those evacuated not to go back to their homes as more floods could still come.

“It is not about tomorrow, it is about now, and we should all act so that we are not caught unaware,” he said.

Assistant Minister Kwerepe said his office was busy compiling information about the impact of the floods as it keeps raining.

For his part, the Director of Disaster Management, Mr Moagi Baleseng said those affected are assisted with temporary accommodation, tents and food.

Mr Baleseng said his office was ready to assist those affected through working with the Office of the District Commissioner.

He added that Gaborone Dam was nearing its fullness level, warning of a likelihood for the dam to spill over. He said the department has already relayed information to those in Gaborone, Mochudi and Rivrewalk Mall to be on high alert, should the dam spill.

For his part, Bamalete Luthren Hospital superintendent, Mr Moagi Mmitsi said about six departments were submerged in water.

The departments included TB ward, incinerator, laundry room, hospice, mechanical workshop and mortuary.

Mr Mmitsi said they had to transport one corpse to a private mortuary as theirs was submerged in water.

He said the hospice had been closed, but noted that they continue to offer services to their terminally ill patients elsewhere. BOPA